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SHAC Financial Demos in London

SHAC London | 23.09.2008 21:25 | SHAC | Animal Liberation | London

This week's demos had been planned for Thursday for a week or so, but we would never have thought that by the time came round it was to be right in the middle of the biggest global financial crash in living memory. Banks and financial institutions were in turmoil, with companies like Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs in the headlines having been struggling against going broke. It turned into a fantasic opportunity for us to really put pressure on the massive faceless financial institutions at a critical time for them. We had NYSE shareholders in our sights. We had a very good turnout this week, with over 20 protesters - exceptional for a Thursday afternoon.






Firstly we went to AXA, one of the world's largest insurance companies and the second largest shareholder in the NYSE. They also have 7,000 shares in HLS itself. We shamed this company at it's office at 1 Aldgate for their appaling record of supporting disgusting trades and companies, including vivisection and Huntingdon Life Sciences. We stayed at this location for about 45 minutes before taking the 1 minute walk to a branch of Barclays.

The Minories branch of Barclays is a good place to do a demonstration as there are always people walking around. We shamed Barlays for being the biggest shareholder in HLS (over 280,000 shares) and for being the third biggest shareholder in the NYSE. Barclays, like all the places we protested at today, are interested only in money. Everything else is inconsequencial. Nothing else matters. We stayed at this location for just less than an hour.

Next we turned up at the offices of Merrill Lynch, a company who were in serious danger of going under just a day or two previously, but were saved by a takeover. At this chaotic and devestating period for Merrill Lynch we were outside their offices to tell them that if they (or their buyers) support the torture of animals in HLS they can expect demonstrations. We have not demonstrated against this company for years, but they have recently bought more shares in HLS and were in the spotlight at the moment. Merrill Lynch actually have over 11,000 HLS shares themselves, and are one of the top shareholders of the NYSE. Sell you blood money shares, Merrill Lynch! This demo lasted about 45 mins.

We finished the day at Goldman Sachs, another financial powerhouse which was in real strife. Like all the other demos, we used megaphones to tell all passers-by exactly what HLS do and how the company we were protesting against were involved. Goldman Sachs have over 10,500 HLS shares and they are one of the top shareholders of the NYSE as well. AXA, Barclays, Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs and NYSE Euronext are all compassionless amoral greedy companies that will profit from anything. They don't care how much suffering is caused to the animals or how absolutely useless the 'science' is. If there is money in it, as far as these 5 are concerned, then it's something that needs to be invested in.

We will continue the demonstrations against the financial supporters of HLS in the city of London, week in-week out until HLS is closed.

SHAC London
- e-mail: info@shac.net
- Homepage: http://www.shac.net

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  1. Global Day of Action Against NYSE Euronext — SHAC
  2. Finished — Pete