News Service May 13, 2003

PETA CALLED TERROR-BACKER

A SHADOWY organization that claims to be a consumer watchdog group is accusing the animal-loving folks at PETA of sponsoring domestic terrorism The Center for Consumer Freedom claims that an investigation of PETA's IRS records shows "numerous cases in which the activist group has financed the legal defenses of affiliates of the radical Animal Liberation Front and the Earth Liberation Front." The CCF will broadcast its accusations nationally, beginning with an ad that will air on Fox News Channel today, followed by spots on CNN and MSNBC throughout the week "This ad uncovers a darker side of PETA, of which many are unaware," says a CCF press release. "Crimes by the ALF/ELF have become so serious that the FBI has had to devote major resources to investigation." However, PETA President Ingrid Newkirk says the so-called consumer group is not the benevolent association that it portrays itself to be "This is a front group for Philip Morris, several logging companies out West, as well as Outback Steakhouse," Newkirk tells PAGE SIX's Ian Spiegelman Newkirk blasted CCF founder Rick Berman, saying, "He goes around founding these groups and makes a great deal of money from them. All he and his wife do is look at our tax returns and twist things around." Asked if PETA money had gone to either of the radical groups in question, Newkirk said that $1,500 of her organization's $20 million budget had once been paid to a lawyer to testify at a congressional investigation into the Animal Liberation Front PETA also paid to defend a Native American who broke into a college library to steal a tribal diary that had been looted from the tribe by Gen. George Custer "The companies Rick Berman works for kill people every day," says Newkirk "He fought against lowering the alcohol level for drunk driving. He preys on people's fears that the world is about to change." CCF's ad campaign also uses PETA's own words against it by featuring comments made by vegan campaign coordinator Bruce Friedrich at a 2001 animal-rights conference: "If we really believe that animals have the same right to be free from pain and suffering at our hands, then, of course, we're going to be blowing things up and smashing windows."