[*BCM*] BioTerror Protest Action w/ Themed Critical Mass July Ride?

[Justin Wong]

I gotta point out that the facility is a BioSAFETY Level 4 Lab ( faq here-->
http://www.gene-watch.org/bubiodefense/pages/faq.html ). While I sympathize
with the community, the media and activists are spreading lies about the
facility. They are not engineering weapons. You will not have a "pinprick"
exposure of biological contaminants that will infect the whole city. The
Saftey labs across the country have the most sophisticated containment
design and engineering on the planet. Amongst the biodefense research, these
labs also are trying to combat SARs Avian Flu and antibiotic resistant flu.
All serious risks unrelated to terrorist activities.

The placement of the lab in Boston has a much higher strategic purpose.
First it is meant to be close to some of the best minds in life sciences.
Second, Boston is a major transportation hub. So any cure or antidote
derived at the lab in time of crisis can be manufactured locally and
distributed quickly. 

That said, it was a horrendous display of disrespect to the local
communities by not involving them until after the contracts were signed.

Now where do I find a giant Anthrax suit???? 

Justin

-----Original Message-----
From: bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org
[mailto:bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org] On Behalf Of
act-up-to-exist at riseup.net
Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2005 1:49 PM
To: list at bostoncriticalmass.org
Subject: [*BCM*] BioTerror Protest Action w/ Themed Critical Mass July Ride?

Hey Everyone,

I'm getting a little Farklempt, talk amongst yourselves. I'll give you a
topic: What do you think of having this month's critical mass dedicated to
the Bio-terror lab (read below)? Costumes, posters, stickers, signs, and
riding out to the location? Discuss.

Solidarity,
Stephanie & Sholom
--------------------------------------------------------
Boston University plans to build a $200 Million federally funded
BIOTERRORISM LABORATORY close to BU Medical Center, near Mass. Ave. and
Albany St., where South End and Roxbury meet.

Research will be done on animals ranging from primates to mice, that cause
ANTHRAX, EBOLA, and other deadly diseases that have no cure and can be
transmitted through the air. These live dangerous viruses will be
transported through our streets by the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, or FedEx.

A coalition of residents, local groups, elected officials, and scientists
OPPOSES THE LAB because:
*The health and safety risks far outweigh the potential benefits; *It
threatens the quality of life and affordability of nearby neighborhoods; *It
will provide few jobs and no economic benefits for the nearby community; and
*There will be no effective local government or community oversight of the
lab.

In addition, HERE'S WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN THIS EFFORT TO STOP THE CONSTRUCTION
OF THIS LEVEL 4 BIOTERROR LAB:
*Discrimination: The location was picked by predominately wealthy, white,
elected officials and scientists looking for further economic wealth, in a
predominately Black and Latino neighborhood that already has existing
environmental, health, and gentrification concerns!

*Environment: BU has ALREADY been charged with more than 80 environmental
violations, and the construction hasn't even started yet!

*Life: After these lethal chemicals have wiped out many members of animal
species, the goal is to have these chemicals tested on people. Already, they
have no concerns for human safety.

*No Jobs: The construction workers that are out of jobs right now, and who
are  hopeful for the lab to be built for chances of jobs, do not realize
that in the BU Supplemental Report, they will be bringing in 2/3 of the
workers from out of town, and the other 9/10 workers will come from a union.
The researchers as well will be from BU, Harvard, and out of state.
There will be no jobs available!

*City Quarantine: There has already been talk of city quarantine if an
accident were to happen. It would take only a pinprick to expose the entire
city, from the airport to Lexington (1 million people) minimum. If
Ebola- a hemorrhagic fever, were to be exposed, the city of Boston would
have less than 30 minutes to evacuate!

*Regional Quarantine: The location is nearby a freeway. If deadly pathogens
were to be exposed, travelers to Rhode Island, New York, and Maine would all
be contaminated!

*NO SAFETY PLANS: With all these warnings listed, and there is NO evacuation
plan in the Supplemental Report.

*OUTLAWED IN CAMBRIDGE: The city of Cambridge already passed a law against
Level 4 Bio-Terror labs, because scientists have confessed that accidents DO
happen. There have been dozens of accidents by BU scientists!

*NO BENEFIT TO PUBLIC: Sure those involved will be profiting off of the
grants the National Institute of Health submits (a lot coming from taxes,
meaning OUR taxes), but where do we as the public citizens, whose lives are
on the line, benefit? We don't! There is nothing in it for us but risks.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! We are working to get registered voters to sign
petitions. For unregistered voters or those who choose not to vote, we are
asking that you voice your rage and concerns to your City Councilors. Ask
them to support the ordinance to ban research at the Biosafety Level 4
(BSL4) labs in Boston. To find out your councilors, and for more
information, please contact Safety Net, at 617-442-7822, or e-mail to
safetynetrox at yahoo.com & visit ACE at www.ace-ej.org. To get involved,
please contact Rose Arrunda, rosey7posey at yahoo.com, 617-869-3067.

We have a limited amount of time to show our opposition. There will be
actions in the form of protests and marches taken against the construction
of this lab. I can also be contacted for further information, at
act-up-to-exist at riseup.net.

There is a press conference on Tuesday, July 12th, 9am. WE NEED SUPPORT
HERE!! Please, if you can make it, get in touch!!


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