LIVE: Today, hundreds of animal activists are set to hold a peaceful vigil, holding flowers and singing songs outside a troubled Wisconsin beagle breeding facility. Saturday’s mass attempted beagle rescue there by over 1,000 animal lovers turned Ridglan Farms’ perimeter into a war zone as hundreds of animal activists encountered tear gas and rubber bullets, sparking calls for an investigation into whether law enforcement used excessive force.
More than 1,000 activists converged near Madison, Wisconsin on Saturday in what’s being called the largest attempted open rescue of animals in history. No dogs were rescued but the foiled effort received global news coverage including from CNN and the New York Times.
The attempted rescue action unfolded on Saturday, April 19th over the course of more than nine hours of continuous live UNCHAINEDTV coverage. Viewers watched LIVE as cops directed clouds of tear gas at the rescuers, causing some to fall over and grabs their eyes, seeking water to douse the stinging. Law enforcement also fired rubbed bullets, leaving some activists with large welts on their bodies. The action’s leader - Wayne Hsiung - was arrested at the very start of the action and remained jailed as events unfolded. He later sent a jailhouse letter saying, ““Only a deeply corrupt system will use tear gas and rubber bullets against peaceful activists saving dogs.” Two Dane County Wisconsin Supervisors condemned the police response in an impromptu news conference, with one - Supervisor Rick Rose - saying he would seek an investigation into the use of force.
In a statement to the media, Ridglan Farms denounced the attempted rescue, labeling the activists "extremists" and asserting:
“…our facility is not under any court order. Instead, a joint settlement was reached following an investigation that revealed misinformation conveyed by individuals who investigators say ‘lacked credibility.’"
Activists counter that, in the 21st Century, with organs on a chip and AI, animal experimentation is outdated and holds science back. The company is invited on at any time to respond further.
Now, UnchainedTV hosts Jane Velez-Mitchell, Lindsey Baker, Michelle Celestino, Daniel Moreno and Renee King-Sonnen of the Rowdy Girl Sanctuary bring you LIVE coverage with reporters on the scene in Wisconsin as DAY 2 of this historic event in the animal rights movement unfolds.