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Posted on 04/21/2007 6:27:36 AM PDT by Bean Counter
An embattled Portland furrier filed a federal civil rights lawsuit Friday against animal-rights activists who helped drive the company out of downtown and the city of Portland for allegedly failing to take action against the raucous demonstrations.
Schumacher Furs LLC accuses two national animal rights organizations -- In Defense of Animals and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals -- of a vulgar pattern of harassment that included public nudity, obscene gestures, chants, insults and written threats of death or serious bodily injury.
The suit accuses the protesters of sometimes following employees and customers of the store for blocks.
"In addition," the suit alleges, "the protests and demonstrations have included throwing or dispersing fecal matter, urine, chalk and red paint on or around the building and adjoining sidewalks at plaintiffs' store."
The suit also names as defendants the Animal Liberation Front, an underground group described by the FBI as a leading domestic terrorist organization, and Matt Rossell, whose In Defense of Animals group claimed victory for running Schumacher Furs out of downtown.
Gregg and Linda Schumacher, the couple who own the 811 S.W. Morrison St. business, "have been the subjects of repeated death threats through U.S. Mail and Internet messages, as well as experienced unwanted communications and contacts with one or more individual animal rights activists at their personal residence from February 2006 to the present," the suit alleges.
Animal-rights activists have said the protests, which began in early November 2005, were only supposed to last during the holiday shopping season. However, they became a weekly event after the Schumachers fought back, in one case trying to drown out activists' chants with Christmas carols such as "Here Comes Santa Claus."
The suit accuses Rossell and other protesters -- including 20 "John Does" and "Jane Does" -- of blocking public sidewalks with their bodies and signs; distracting motorists; and periodically entering the salon "to insert anti-fur materials surreptitiously in the pockets of clothing available for sale."
Rossell could not be reached for comment Friday evening.
The Schumachers accuse police of witnessing such events but failing to take action to protect the fur salon, even though other businesses would enjoy such protection.
The furriers allege that city officials instructed officers not to enforce laws that govern conduct in public places, told them not to arrest demonstrators who violated those laws, and did not require protesters to obtain permits or variances for their parades and demonstrations.
I hope the Schumachers push this to the very limit, and I wish them all of the success in the World. This case will draw National attention, because of the implications it holds for holding Cities accountable for the stupid, Politically Correct decisions that they make.
They need to start a donation fund the cause.
Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.The amendment was written precisely because state and local law enforcement had been refusing to enforce the law against people who had committed crimes against a disfavored class of person (blacks, then, furriers, now)
It’s about time this was done. You can not have a well ordered society when you stand around and let some break the law. For some reason, governments are so fearful of being accused to infringing on someones right to protest that they allow protestors to infringe on the rights of everybody else. Time for everybody else to say “enough”!
There are som serious threats throught the 9th jurisdiction to overcome, that said, perhaps others will be able to “get something going.” I’ve pinged a few FRiends in the region to give consideration to the situation, hopefully this grows some serious legs.
The Shumachers have liquidated their stock, and gone out of business, in part because the location they were considering moving to came under harrassment as well, until they cancelled the new lease.
Personally, I think they are wealthy enough to pursue this without any problem, (not to mention the determination to see it through) and I have no doubt when they win, part of the settlement will be coverage of the (substantial) Attorney’s Fees.
This is going to be interesting to watch, since the Federal Courthouse in Portland is within spitting distance of City Hall, and there are several Portland Commissioners that have a lot of ‘splainin’ to do...
I’m surprised the company didn’t include the city of Portland in their suit. The police refused to inforce the laws to protect this business.
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Here's another story:
Nam Vet
I hope they bankrupt the city for their outrageous attitude. Most anti-business city in the Country.
Pray for W and Our Troops
I believe in my heart that Joel Schumacher is the one guy who has the means, and the will, to see this through to the bitter end. He isn’t just going after the City, I think he’s going after Commissioner Randy Leonard personally, and it will be vastly entertaining to watch him finally get his due.
In addition, Schumacher is going after the protesters individually, and personally. The suit names a number of John Does and Jane Does, and when they begin discovery and depositions, I think they have enough video tape to submit as anple justification to ewquest subpoenas against those individuals who live in Portland, and to compel them to testify.
I think the Schumachers will spend every dime they have to pursue this, and the City of Portland isn’t going to be able to fend it off easily, either. Witness how the City of Beaverton got their heads handed to them in their dispuute with Nike. We are talking about a Federal Civil Rights suit this time....that’s bigtime; a lot bigger than the Lefties in City Hall...
Developing...
Developing...
Good for the Schumachers! I hope they take it as far as they have to!
I wish them nothing but the BEST of luck in their new store home, in a neighborhood where the police actually DO their jobs! Their business will flourish there far better than in Downtown Portland in the Tax INSANE Multnomah county!
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