Comments on: Struggling Fur Salon Owner Says “Eco-terrorism” Legislation Should Be Used Against Protests

By: Elie

Elie — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:41:48 +0000

There have not been 13 arrests that I am aware of, I think the number is a bit smaller – I think that was a number the police just threw off without checking it – and of the total arrests, at least one that I know of falls in the Schumacher supporter camp. The other few that I know of are very questionable, and are from some time ago, when the police were extremely heavy-handed with young protesters and seemed to want to find any excuse to clear them out. Regardless, they were not major infractions (one involved spitting on the sidewalk), and some were dismissed. Now, the police take a more even-handed approach to protests, after realizing that Gregg Schumacher provokes, lies, and “cries wolf” to get police out and stir things up. Regardless, in order to protect themselves – from Gregg Schumacher's threatened lawsuit against the city for not “protecting” him from protests – the police are there at every protest for many months now – and there have been no arrests, no problems, all legal.

The store hasn't closed – they announced a move that will happen at the end of the season. They want to move out of the city as they feel the police and city government here is not “protecting” them (what they seem to want to be protected from is the First Amendment).

Gregg Schumacher lies repeatedly to the press, and blows things up beyond reason. So much so that city commissioner Randy Leonard was on a radio talk show a few days ago and said himself that the Schumachers are “liars.” Schumacher even accuses the police of being in the pocket of the protesters! He claims that protesters are breaking the law even while the police are there – but feels so victimized that he claims the police won't enforce the law. Now, have you ever known police officers to reject enforcement of the law in favor or protesters?

It would all be quite ridiculous except for the fact that the language of terrorism is being thrown around as though it means something, and a certain number of people buy into it.

By: Huasipungo » Why Aren’t Terrorists Protesting the Gay Vegan Hemp Store?

Huasipungo » Why Aren’t Terrorists Protesting the Gay Vegan Hemp Store? — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:12:46 +0000

[...] Ongoing anti-fur protests by Portland animal rights activists have helped shut down one fur salon, Schumacher Furs. (The owner unsuccessfully tried to retaliate by calling on federal prosecutors to use the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act against the protesters). [...]

By: Simone

Simone — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:00:10 +0000

goes to show what psychopaths run fur shops.

If they could get away with it, and make a buck, i am 100% they would have lots of human skin for sale.

By: Tofu Makes You Gay and Charlotte’s Web is Animal Rights Extremism « Guerilla Monk (Pomarańczowa Alternatywa)

Sat, 17 May 2008 01:31:41 +0000

[...] about the “eco-terrorists” protesting outside your business. Those crazy vegetarians will turn your children into raving HOMOS! It’s not clear yet which is a [...]

By: Livardo

Livardo — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:52:10 +0000

I wouldn’t wear fur myself, but what’s the difference between wearing a fur coat and wearing a leather belt? Is it because the fur comes from cute, cuddly animals? I mean, it’s not like the cows are treated any better, are they? Where’s the outrage and protests about that? I’d love to see you march up to Yellowknife to protest the inuits using fur pelts to shield them from the bitter cold. Oh, I see.. it’s ok because they’re not using the fur for vanity. Gotcha.

This Schumacher fellow has some videos up on his website, have you seen them? It doesn’t exactly look like peaceful protesting to me. Hooded extremists, faces covered, following people outside the shop, screaming at them, encroaching them, sounds like harrassment to me.

By: Will Potter

Will Potter — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:51:13 +0000

Kay:
It seems like the city, and the courts, feel that the animal advocates are well within their First Amendment rights to protest, and not be considered “terrorists” for doing so. Will

By: kay

kay — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 03:27:25 +0000

You people make me sick. The family has a store and they’re trying to make an honest living. Ok, you don’t agree with what they sell, but how dare you behave in that manner. You’re an embarrassment to Portland. Feces, urine, blood, naked protestors, is that the type of mentality it takes to protest? Good god, I’m sad to be an american if freedom of speech allows creatures like you to act as you do.

By: Antonio

Antonio — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 17:55:40 +0000

Very nice site! Good work.

By: YouDontNeedTo Know

YouDontNeedTo Know — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 14:03:33 +0000

It is abosolutly unessesariy to where fur. it called faux fur. killing animals is wrong what if they did it to you?

By: Billy

Billy — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 09:18:40 +0000

This is a follow up to Elie’s comments about the Schumachers being liar. We of course have our regular Saturday protests (that began 11/12/05) but a couple Sundays ago I noticed they were open for business (they had always been closed on Sundays but they have been running their ‘evacuation’ sale that was this week renamed to a ‘the fur is flying’ sale) and we organized a protest for last Sunday. Gregg Schumacher called the police to complain about the use of a sound amplification device. None had been used during the 3 hour protest. A police officer drove up to the protest, asked me about it, I told her the truth that we had not used a sound amplification device and she smiled, said have a nice day and drove off. The police (who are present for all Saturday protests, the Sunday protest was a surprise but we expect to do it again this Sunday) know the Schumachers are liars. The Schumachers have called in false accusations many times. I concur that the few arrests that have occurred (late winter months) were for minor things. The arrest for spitting was ridiculous as were the others. Numerous threats have come from the Schumacher sympathizers. Our conduct is peaceful. We have had a very good relationship with the police since early March. It is respectful and we have good communication. The Schumachers and their security have done much to antagonize and provoke. The police and the city council know the truth about what takes place at our protests. We conduct legal protests, there is no vandalism, there are no threats, there is no “terrorism”. The Schumachers just hate that we are providing the truth about the fur industry (with big video). We are not preventing them from doing business but they want to take away our free speech rights. Shoppers are free to make their own choices. Unfortunately for the Schumachers all but a small number have chosen to shop elsewhere. We don’t prevent anyone from entering the store. Reduced profits are reflection of compassionate shopping choices by the public. Yea for them! Our purpose is to educate and we have been successful. No business has a right to guaranteed profits. So on 11/27 (the first Monday after Fur Free Friday weekend where we had Friday and Saturday protests) Gregg Schumacher announced his plans to leave downtown Portland and Multnomah County entirely. It’s his and his wife Linda’s choice. As of 12/31 they had not secured a new location for their business (the word of a Schumacher employee). It won’t break my heart if they are rejected by all potential landlords. It has been reported that their move date will be sometime in March. Our protests will continue until the Schumachers have closed their doors in downtown Portland for the last time. It is “fur season” after all and we must be the voices of and for the animals.