The International Mink Show proceeded smoothly and without interruption Jan. 12-13 in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, despite efforts by animal rights extremists to disrupt the event, which was held at the Olympia Resort. Although 22 arrests were made, not a single activist gained access to the area where fur farmers, marketing officials and industry suppliers met to discuss issues affecting fur farming and the fur trade, according to a report by the Fur Commission USA, based in St. Paul, MN.

According to a news release issued by the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade (CAFT) over the Internet, CAFT was responsible for organizing the Mink Show protest. Freeman Wicklund, CAFT leader in Minneapolis, was one of those arrested. National CAFT spokesperson J.P. Goodwin was present but not arrested. Currently, Goodwin is thought to be on probation for prior animal rights-related crimes, so he may have been especially careful to avoid risking a second arrest.

Skip Lea, chairman of Fur Commission USA (FCUSA), credited local law enforcement authorities with what he described as a "superb job" of protecting public safety. More than 40 officers from four jurisdictions participated in the effort under the leadership of Police Chief Hugh Martin of Oconomowoc.

Recognizing the activists' right to peaceful assembly, hotel and law enforcement officials had set aside one area of the resort parking lot for protesters. When activists refused to honor the established boundaries, they were arrested. Despite numerous efforts to infiltrate the area in which Mink Show meetings were being held, only three protesters successfully entered the building. They were arrested in the lobby area and removed by Oconomowoc police before Mink Show participants were even aware of their presence.

Activists also struck out in their effort to attract media coverage. Although Oconomowoc is located relatively near larger media markets in Madison and Milwaukee, none of the major television stations in the region covered the protest. Lea noted that media coverage of the annual Mink Show protest has declined as animal rights activists have become more militant and violent.

"This was a real loser for the animal rights movement," said Lea. "Some young protesters may think it's cool to get arrested, but what did they accomplish? They failed to disrupt the meeting, and they failed to generate publicity for their cause. So what was the point?

He concluded, "Fur farmers are not going to tolerate disruption and violence at our events, especially when our families and children are in attendance." In a letter to the Oconomowoc Enterprise, he wrote, "It is reassuring to know that these tactics will not be tolerated in Oconomowoc, and that agriculture organizations can meet in your community without fear of harassment and violence at the hands of extremists."

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