Published: June 20, 2007 11:31 pm            

Animal-rights activists vandalize Geistown store

An act of animal-rights terrorism at Linda’s Fashions and Fur Salon in Geistown was misdirected, police said Wednesday.

Despite the name, Linda’s Fashions hasn’t sold furs for years.

Someone threw a cinderblock through a glass door early June 14 at Linda’s Fashions and Fur Salon, 903 Scalp Ave.

Spray-painted letters “ALF” in the store apparently refer to the California-based Animal Liberation Front, Cpl. Terry McGrath said from Geistown.

The group has claimed responsibility for the damage on its Web site, animalrightspressoffice.org. A statement says the store “was visited under cover of night by masked activists.”

The action was taken to support convicted arsonist and environmental activist Jeffrey Luers, who is in jail for 11 to 13 years for setting three sport utility vehicles on fire at a dealership in Eugene, Ore. He’s considered a political prisoner by some environmental activists.

“We refuse to be intimidated by the forces of government repression, and we refuse to forget our comrades,” the posted statement continues. “Until all the cages are empty and all are free, our struggle continues. This is not the last you’ll see of us Linda.”

Problem is, Linda’s does not sell furs.

“If you are going to do something like this, at least go in like you’re a customer first and check it out,” McGrath said.

Owner Linda Mowry was not available for comment late Wednesday. But her husband, James, said it’s been at least a decade since the former Richland Mall store sold furs.

Jerry Vlasak of suburban Los Angeles, a press officer for North American Animal Liberation, said late Wednesday that his organization often receives underground communiques from such animal rights activists.

He defended the vandalism.

“We condone anyone who is willing to stop the exploitation of animals as fashion statements for rich women,” he said.

And he was skeptical that Linda’s Fashions was completely out of the fur trade.

“It’s kind of disingenuous that someone would call themselves a fur salon and not sell furs. Doesn’t make much sense to me,” Vlasak said.

He would not say the activists made a mistake. Historically, activists are careful in researching their targets ahead of time, Vlasak said.

“It’s much more likely that Linda is the one putting the spin on it,” he said.

Perhaps the store sells coats with fur collars – or fur underwear.

“I’m assuming before someone risks going to jail that they’re going to do their research, Vlasak said.

No one has been charged in the crime.



Staff writer Bernie Hornick contributed to this story.

        

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