IDA News Release

June 18, 2007

Federal Judge Throws Out Lawsuit by Furrier

Portland, Ore.—In Defense of Animals (IDA) are declaring victory after a federal lawsuit brought against them was thrown out by Federal Judge Michael Mosman yesterday. The case arose out of Schumacher Fur Store owners’ false claims of the so-called “lawless behavior” of animal activists who held weekly anti-fur protests for 18 months outside the fur store. The demonstrations culminated in the store’s permanent closure on May 31st.

“Today is a victory both for free speech and the animals brutalized by the fur industry. The court agreed that our protests are lawful and fully protected under the First Amendment, leaving the Schumacher’s lawsuit lying in ruins,” according to Matt Rossell, Northwest Outreach Coordinator of IDA. “Schumacher cried victim in an attempt to distract the public from the suffering of the animals used to make his coats.”

IDA’s attorneys Greg Kafoury and Mark McDougal won on the merits of their anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) motion, evoking an Oregon law that protects public participants from the chilling effect of litigation brought against them surrounding their protected free speech. A civil SLAPP suit is a tactic of corporations and industries that abuse animals to try to silence or limit free speech of activists who seek to expose cruel and inhumane practices.

“The effort by the Schumachers to inflict millions in damages and silence our speech was clearly designed to financially destroy IDA and intimidate compassionate individuals from speaking out against killing animals for vanity products,” according to Dr. Elliot M. Katz, IDA President. “We are pleased the courts resolved this matter quickly so we can go on doing our important work on behalf of animals in need.”

For more information about IDA’s anti-fur campaign, please visit www.furkills.org.