For Immediate Release
January 15, 2006
Spain Activists Liberate 28 Beagles from Laboratory in Honor of Bill Rodgers, US Activist Found Dead in His Jail Cell
The Animal Liberation Front (ALF) liberated 28 beagles from the veterinary facilities of the Independent University of Madrid earlier this month, according to an anonymous communique posted on the internet. The conditions under which the animals were housed was so dismal that three of them did not survive, even though they were treated immediately by a veterinarian after their rescue. All the dogs were destined for death at the hands of university vivisectors.
According to the communique, the liberation action was dedicated “to William C. Rogers, “Avalon”. A companion who recently “appeared” dead in his [US jail] cell with a bag over his head.” Rodgers (40) was an animal rights and environmental activist living in Prescott, Arizona, and had been charged with one count of arson to the Animal and Plant and Health Inspection Services facility in Olympia, Wash. June 21, 1998, where estimated damage was $1.2 million. He was facing a possible 20 year sentence if convicted, and was found dead in his Flagstaff jail cell under suspicious circumstances on December 22.
The entire ALF communique is here.
Although under suspicion for another arson at the Vail ski resort in 1998, the largest act of eco-sabotage in the United States up until that time, Rodgers had not been charged in that action. He had been denied bail at a hearing in Flagstaff and ordered transferred to Washington for further hearings. Lt. Charlie Wong said there had been no indication that Rodgers was depressed or intended to take his own life. For additional information on Bill Rodgers, go to http://supportbill.org.