On Tuesday morning two members of Oberlin Animal Rights (OAR) decided that the Neuroscience department had left them hanging for long enough, so they went ahead and took matters into their own hands.
At 9:30 a.m. Tuesday junior Joshua Raisler-Cohn and senior Kimberly DeFeo went onto the roof of Mudd, hung hammocks over the front side and then sat in them to protest vivisection, experimentation on live animals, in Oberlin's Introductory Neuroscience class. Between them they unfurled a 750-square foot banner proclaiming, "Changing the World Starts Here, Stop Live Animal Experimentation."
In a press release they announced they would remain in the hammocks for 10 hours or until the Neuroscience department agreed to phase out vivisection in the Introductory Neuroscience class within four semesters.
The class, Neuroscience 211, includes a vivisection laboratory in which anesthetized rats have holes drilled in them so chemicals and electric shocks can be used to stimulate their brains.
OAR has been protesting the use of this technique in an introductory setting for at least two years. Protesters in both the Fall and Spring semesters last year staged strikes in the hallways in front of the laboratory, lying down to block student entrance through the doors and holding up signs proclaiming "Rats Have Rights" and "Death to Vivisection." Three students also engaged in a hunger strike during the Spring; then-sophomore Raisler-Cohn fasted for over a week to portray the extent of his anti-vivisection sentiments. OAR also demonstrated on Wilder Bowl and passed out information to students to help get its point across.
Although vivisection still occurs in the introductory Neuroscience class, last Spring the Neuroscience department sat down with members of OAR to plan a Fall forum for the two groups to further discuss the issue in an academic setting.
Tuesday's protesters apparently didn't want to wait that long.
Dean of Student Life and Services Charlene Cole-Newirk acknowledged that Security had informed her of the protest that morning, but she said Security would not intervene.
"They [Security] will take a report when they come down and refer it to the Judicial Coordinator, who will decide if any regulations have been violated," Cole-Newkirk said.
Raisler-Cohn and DeFeo ended the protest a half-hour short of their 10-hour pledge. DeFeo lowered herself to the ground while Raisler-Cohn returned to the roof, where he was assisted by personnel from Security and Buildings and Grounds, who worked to ensure the safety of the students and to prevent damage to the building.
Director of Facilities Maintenance Eugene Matthews said, "When I asked him how he got up there this morning, he said 'magic'."
Marge Burton, acting assistant director of Campus Safety and Security, said, "Basically in this situation, we wanted to make sure everything was safe. I'm glad everything turned out OK."
The day after the protest, Judicial Coordinator and Associate Dean of Student Life and Services Bill Stackman said charges will be brought against DeFeo and Raisler-Cohn.
Director of Libraries Ray English said, "Our building policy was violated. I intend to file a complaint," although he added, "I respect free speech rights. I respect the rights of students to express there opinions."
According to the section of the Student Rules and Regulations handbook dealing with Mudd Center, "Unauthorized entry in the building roof areas... are subject to disciplinary action by the College judicial system and/or arrest and prosecution by local authorities."
In this case, the charges are being brought through the College judicial system, where a judicial officer or board will decide on a penalty if the protesters are found to have violated any regulation.
When asked to comment on the charges, DeFeo said, "Nobody from security at the time told us to get down or there would be specific repercussions. They were just concerned for our safety."
Although both students are members of OAR, and representatives from OAR passed out literature in front of the library and filmed the protest, OAR's Liaison Risa Gumpp said they were acting of their own initiative.
"We are here because OAR supports the cause of eliminating live animal experimentation," she said.
At times the signs put out in front of the library outnumbered the amount of OAR students gathered to support the protest.
Reactions by passing students were mixed. Some laughed at the protest, others pretended to shoot the protestors with air guns and still others shouted their support.
Senior Blair Heiserman said, "It is unfortunate that they will be punished for this, and they will. Isn't that what Oberlin is suppose to teach us? To stand up for the causes we believe in. I am amused by all this, and glad people have such conviction."
"I bet they are bored, and I think they probably have better things to do with $30,000 than hang from the library all day," first-year Isaac Natter said.
Associate Professor of Neuroscience and Biology Janice Thornton said, "I hope they are doing this safely."
OAR sent out press releases to five newspapers and three television stations. The Elyira Chronicle-Telegram, the Oberlin News-Tribune, WJW TV 8 and WESW TV 5 came to campus to interview Raisler-Cohn and DeFeo by cellular phone and walkie talkie.
DeFoe said, "The weather is nice up here."
"This is the first time I'm aware of that the library has been used in this way," English said. "I would have preferred if they had picked a different place for a demonstration"
"They had to go on the roof to get up there. The roof has lots of problems, there is a potential to cause roof leaks and damage the collection,"
"The roof needs to be replaced," Matthews said, but added, "I looked at the roof; the students caused no new damage."
Still hanging: OAR protestors wait for a response from the Neuroscience program. (photo by Laren Rusin)
A rocking good time: Senior Kim DeFeo makes her vivisection protests known from the rooftop of Mudd Library. (photo by Laren Rusin)
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