Activists’ Punishment Is Protested

About a dozen animal-rights activists picketed the Municipal Court on Tuesday to protest the treatment that four other activists received from a judge.

The group said that the four activists, arrested on misdemeanor trespassing charges at UC Irvine in April, were being unfairly punished by Municipal Judge Susanne S. Shaw.

The judge, they said, berated the defendants during an arraignment Monday.

Shaw, who declined to comment on the protest, ordered the four to be sent to Santa Ana Jail until they posted $5,000 bail each. The protesters said the judge’s actions were unreasonably harsh.

The activists arrested--identified by officials as Jorge Belloso-Curiel of Fountain Valley, Gerard Livernois of Laguna Niguel, Leila Saidyekta of Fullerton and Darcy McMullen of Lawndale--had gathered April 22 at UCI.

They allegedly marched into the office of Edward G. Jones, chairman of the anatomy and neurobiology department, and demanded his resignation and a cessation of research using animals. The four were arrested after they refused to leave, said Gina Lynn, an organizer with the Animal Rights Direct Action Coalition.

They were released on their own recognizance until their court appearance Monday.

They vowed to conduct a hunger strike in their cells until they are released. Supporters said they will hold candlelight vigils in front of Santa Ana’s Central Jail each night this week from 8 to 10. Jail officials would not confirm if the four in custody went on a hunger strike.

The four are scheduled to be back at the courthouse Friday for a preliminary hearing, Lynn said.