THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 12, 1996 TAG: 9606110015
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 41 lines
A recent letter made small of the seriousness ot the recent incidents at Central Meat Packing in Chesapeake.
Animal Liberation Front does advocate violence against property. It ``obeys a higher moral code that overrides mere man-made laws.'' ALF might not advocate killing people; however, destroying five complete refrigeration systems and venting hundreds of pounds of freon gas is serious business. Also, on more than one occasion ALF broke open natural-gas lines, which could have caused an explosion endangering many lives.
During the past 15 months, ALF has claimed responsibility for more than a dozen attacks. It not only paints our building, calling us murderers, but it vows to put us out of business.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is moving its headquarters to Norfolk. Already advertising in the local media, PETA has a definite objective: preventing animals from being used as meat or other products.
Central Meat Packing is a state/federal meat-packing facility with an inspector on duty 100 percent of the time that live animals are processed. All animals are handled in a humane manner and feel no pain through the complete process.
We are a family-owned, 36-year-old-business. We will continue to try to protect our facility and pray that the perpetrators of vandalism will be apprehended and prosecuted.
We appreciate the community outrage in response to these ridiculous incidents. We greatly appreciate the large number of customers and friends who have volunteered to wash off the paint used to deface the building and to paint the building. Many have volunteered to guard the building at night. Others call to express their concerns and to let us know they will support us in any way they can.
The animal-rights groups forced us to close our doors for a few days, but they are a long way from putting us out of business.
EARL L. EDMONDSON
Founder and CEO
Central Meats
Chesapeake, June 4, 1996 by CNB