May 14, 2008 -- Chickens Given New Home in Open Rescue

press release by activists in Finland (translation):

"On May 11, 2008, three chickens were freed from deplorable conditions at a large egg farm in southern Finland.

Wearing protective clothing, activists entered the unlocked building and gently lifted chickens down into a box. The freed hens have been moved to a new home where they will have a good life.

'In Finland, there are approx. three million laying hens. Of these, 85% live in cages where they are provided less space than an A4 paper. In large-scale egg production it is impossible to meet the needs of chickens. Hens are deprived of their right to a good life, and they are treated as robotic egg producers rather than living and sentient individuals with intrinsic value,' says Cajsa Nykvist, one of the liberators.

'When I realized how chickens are treated in Finland, I felt morally obliged to act. It is a pity that this time we could only save three hens, but it feels good that at least they will feel the earth under their feet,' says Mathias Smulter.

'This act is primarily symbolic. I hope it works to challenge people's attitudes about animals in agriculture. For me, it is very important to act transparently, so that a legitimate debate is possible,' says Emma Nykvist."

Finnish:
"Lehdistötiedote 11.5.2008

Kolme eläintenystävää vapautti avoimesti kolme kanaa suuresta kanalasta Etelä-Suomessa 11. toukokuuta 2008. Kanat vapautettiin, koska niiden olot häkkikanaloissa ovat surkeat.

Suojavaatteisiin pukeutuneet aktivistit nostivat kanat varovasti laatikkoon. Vapautetut kanat on viety uuteen kotiin, jossa ne saavat elää hyvää kananelämää.

- Suomen kanaloissa on noin kolme miljoonaa kanaa. Niistä 85% elää häkeissä, joissa kanoille on tilaa A4-arkin verran. Tehokanaloissa on mahdotonta huomioida kanojen tarpeita. Niiltä riistetään oikeus hyvään elämään ja niitä kohdellaan robottimaisina munantuottajina pikemminkin kuin elävinä ja tuntevina yksilöinä, joilla on arvo itsessään, sanoo Cajsa Nykvist, yksi vapauttajista.

- Kun sain tietää miten kanoja Suomessa kohdellaan, tunsin olevani moraalisesti velvollinen toimimaan. On sääli, että tällä kertaa pystyimme vapauttamaan vain kolme kanaa, mutta tuntuu hyvältä, että ainakin ne saavat nyt tuntea oikean maan jalkojensa alla, sanoo Mathias Smulter.

- Tämä teko on ensisijaisesti symbolinen. Toivon että se saa ihmiset kyseenalaistamaan ihmisten suhtautumista eläimiin maataloudessa. Minulle on tärkeää toimia avoimesti, niin että asiallinen keskustelu on mahdollista, sanoo Emma Nykvist."

April 30, 2008 -- Anti-Fur Actions

reported by activists in Finland:

"2.4. Turku - Locks of five fur shops glued.

22.4. Turku - Locks of two fur shops glued and windows smashed at one fur shop

29.4. Kotka - Windows and front of Halonen shop covered in paint."

February 21, 2008 - Incendiary Devices Left At Warehouse of Fur Retailer

anonymous communique received by activists in Finland:

"Happy Valentine's day Pekka and the rest of the folks at Halonen!

We paid a visit to your warehouse in Espoo 14.2. and left some
incendiary devices there as a gift. We hope you liked our gift.

Give up fur trim.

We always win."

Note: Pekka Halonen is CEO of the Finnish clothing chain Halonen, which due to its sale of fur trim has been the target of a campaign by animal rights activists.

Finnish:
"Hyvää ystävänpäivää Pekka ja muu Halosen väki!

Kävimme vierailulla varastollanne Espoossa 14.2. ja jätimme teille
lahjaksi palopommeja. Toivottavasti lahjamme kelpasi.

Luopukaa turkissomisteista.

Me voitamme aina."

August 31, 2007 -- Mink Taste Freedom

Media in Finland have reported that 2,500 mink were released late on August 30 from a fur farm in Mustasaari, in western Finland. The letters "EVR" were found spray-painted on a building at the farm.

EVR = Eläinten Vapautusrintama ("Animal Liberation Front" in Finnish).

January 19, 2007.  Finland Action reports.

December
Tampere - McShit's window smashed
Tampere - Two windows smashed at Halonen (fur retailer)

November
Tampere - Furshop Sammon Turkis's windows etched
Laukaa - Six hunting towers smashed, windows of hunters cabin smashed and walls decorated with appropriate slogans

October
Helsinki - Tarja Niskanen's furshops windows smashed
Helsinki - Furshop Silventoinen's windows smashed
Hankasalmi - Two hunting towers put to pieces
Helsinki - Tarja Niskanen's furshops windows smashed

May
Jyväskylä - Window of Halonen smashed"