The threat of a conflict was always present, he says, considering the industry's involvement in animal experimentation. A friend, a fellow University of Virginia law student, took him to a veal slaughterhouse. The visit, he recalls, was precipitated by an argument they'd had over the effectiveness of federal legislation mandating humane animal slaughter. That convinced me that the animal rights movement was the place to be, because it was the lowest common denominator. Since founding the center, however, Francione has become a free agent, creating a hub for national animal rights litigation, advocacy, and education independent of animal rights organizations and their politics.
Private donations make up the balance.
Despite its modest budget, the clinic has routinely faced down opponents with far greater resources and personnel, including high-powered firms for colleges involved in vivisection and government lawyers of all stripes. Though the Court ultimately struck down the Hialeah ordinances this past June, citing an unconstitutional targeting of religion, the animal advocates in Newark have rebounded. Clinic students are now drafting an educational pamphlet for distribution to interested parties, advising on statutes that will pass constitutional muster. Francione is the first to admit that the students face a tough, though invigorating, battle to bring animal issues before the bench. A lot of what we do is try to figure out legal theories to use.