When the Center for Consumer Freedom revealed that it found evidence that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals had donated money to the Earth Liberation Front it dropped a bombshell whose effects are still reverberating. Unless PETA is able to pull some rabbit out of its hat to explain away the donation, this appears likely to do serious damage to PETA.
This week, Rep. Scott McCinnis (R-Colorado) sent a letter to Ingrid Newkirk asking for information about PETA’s role in funding animal rights and environmental terrorists. The letter is reproduced in full below.
March 4, 2002
Ms. Ingrid Newkirk
President
PETA
501 Front Street
Norfolk, Virginia 23510Dear Ms. Newkirk:
When the House Resources Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held an oversight hearing probing the increasing threat of ecoterrorism on National Forest lands last month, evidence was submitted by one of the Subcommittee’s witnesses showing that the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) contributed to the Earth Liberation Front, the public face of an organization described by the FBI as America’s single largest domestic terrorism threat. The purpose of the contribution to ELF is listed on PETA’s Form 990 tax return as to “support their program activities.” Subsequent reporting in the media appears to substantiate these allegations.
As a non-profit organization with tax-exempt privileges and the incumbent public policy obligations that status entails, PETA has a responsibility to explain the full extent of its involvement with and contributions to environmental terror groups like ELF and ALF. With that in mind, I respectfully request that you respond to the following questions, the answers to which will be made part of the hearing’s public record.
- Since 1993, how much and on how many occasions has PETA made financial contributions to either the Earth Liberation Front and/or its press office, the Animal Liberation Front and/or its press office, and suspected or convicted persons associated with ELF and ALF?
- Does PETA have any internal policies or guidelines either encouraging or discouraging financial support of unlawful groups like ELF and ALF? If so, what are they?
- Under what rational did PETA make a contribution(s) to ELF?
- What steps did PETA take to ensure that these funds would not be used for unlawful purposes?
- Whose signature appeared on the returned check that PETA gave ELF?
- Does PETA condone the violent activities of organizations like ELF? Should PETA’s contribution to ELF be seen as an endorsement?
- Does PETA have any intention of contributing to ELF, ALF or other similarly motivated groups in the future?
As local, state and federal law enforcement officials grapple with this formidable threat, careful scrutiny must be applied to any and all persons or organizations that lend financial aid and comfort to this radical band of extremists. In the future, I hope that PETA will cut-off its financial ties with ELF and ALF, and join America’s largest mainstream environmental groups in publicly condemning these and other eco-terrorist groups.
I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Scott McInnis
Chairman
House Resources Subcommittee on
Forests and Forest Healthcc: Internal Revenue Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation
I can’t wait to see what sort of response PETA comes up with to these questions.