From: lvc@cbnews.cb.att.com (Larry Cipriani)
Subject: PETA Activities Suspected of Violating FCC Act, Says PPF
Organization: Ideology Busters, Inc.
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1992 03:35:40 GMT
Keywords: peta, 800 phone numbers

From: The New Gun Week, Friday August 14, 1992

People for the Ethical Treatment (hah!) of Animals (PETA) is allegedly
using its telephone "action line" to incite its followers to violate
the Federal Communications Act, according to a recent report from Putting
People First (PPF).

The story indicated that one grand jury, located in Grand Rapids, MI, has
issued subpoenas for Ingrid Newkirk and Alex Pacheo, founder of PETA.  It
has requested handwriting samples and fingerprints.

The subpoenas follow the FBI's identification of Rodney Coronado of the
Coalition Against Fur Farms (CAFF) as the man who FAXed a press release
from the terrorist Animal Liberation Front (ALF), claiming responsibility
for an arson last year in Washington.

A leading suspect in several recent arsons in Washington, Oregon and
Michigan, Coronado claims that the release turned up mysteriously on the
doorstep of a house he was visiting on an out-of-state trip.

Newkirk says the PETA is ALF's "spokesgroup."  Like Coronado, PETA coyly
claims that it has no knowledge of the identities of ALF members, nor of
how PETA receives ALF information and stolen property within hours of a
raid.

			No Obligation

But BETA spokesman Steve Simmons, recently revealed that PETA is often
tipped off to an ALF attack before the act.  Meanwhile, PETA's Ms. Newkirk
insists that the group feels no obligation to pass on such information to
authorities.

PETA's recorded telephone "action line" reportedly lists the 800-numbers of
its current targets, including farms, manufacturers, wholesale and retail
outlets, research and science education companies and even a publisher.
The "action line" suggests that activists "collect them all and trade them
with your friends."

Using an 800-line to harass a company and drive up its expenses is on of
PETA's favorite tactics. {gee, nobody tell them about ANI!}  In her book,
"Save the Animals", Ingrid Newkirk has an appendix devoted to listing
corporate 800-numbers recommended as targets.  She strongly implies that
her purpose is to encourage her followers to harass those they oppose, and
stick them with the bill.

Those targeted by PETA often face more than expensive and harassing phone
calls.  One young mother received death threats against her family and
received mailed packages containing used condoms and feces.

			Illegal Act

But according to PPF, such harassment is illegal.  It said using a
telephone to harass others is a violation of the Federal Communications
Act.  The act carries penalties that include fines up to $50,000 and six
months in prison.  And inciting other to break the law can be the far more
serious crime of conspiracy.

Persons wishing to lodge a complaint against PETA may write: Enforcement
Division, Federal Communications Commission, Room 6202, Washington D.C.
20554

Those individuals wanting to ask for an investigation may write: Complaint
Desk, Federal Bureau of Investigation, J. Edgar Hoover Building, 10th and
Pennsylvania, NW, Washington DC 20535.

To seek enforcement, persons may write: Criminal Division, Department of
Justice, Washington D.C. 20530.

			Possible Conspiracy

Kathleen Marquardt, chairman of PPF, wrote, "In your letters, write that
your are reporting a tax-exempt, non-profit organization for a possible
conspiracy to violate the Communications Act.  The complaint is against
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), of Rockville, MD.

"I would appreciate receiving copies of your letter."

"Also, Putting People First is exploring the possibility of a class
action suit on behalf of anyone who has been the target of PETA
harassment.  If you or your business has been a target and would
like to join such a suit, write Putting People First, 4401 Connecticut
Avenue, Washington D.C. 20008, or call 202-364-7277.
-- 
Larry Cipriani, att!cbvox1!lvc or lvc@cbvox1.att.com
"I just love the smell of gunpowder." -- Bugs Bunny
Newsgroups: talk.politics.guns