VICTORY: Activists Shut Down Oregon Mink Farm

Police: A.L.F. tactics shut down Astoria mink farm

When activists set fire to equipment and a barn at the Ylipelto Fur Farm in Astoria, Oregon tuesday, farmers stated the farm had already been closed for over six months. And the farm didn't go the way of a graceful retirement, police say - two previous mink liberations forced the farm to shut down.

The following quote from Clatsop County Sheriff Tom Bergin is among the best endorsements of direct action ever offered. Referring to the Ylipelto Fur Farm's closure:

"They had all kinds of incidents out there," Bergin said. "They got rid of all their minks because they had been released twice. There's been all kinds of crazy stuff. They are an older couple. They said, 'We're tired, we're done.'"

The Ylipelto Mink Farm has been the site of two mink liberations in recent years. The first occurred in October 2008, where 1,500 mink were released.  The second raid occurred October 4th, 2009, when 300 mink were released. The farm closed in December, 2009, two months after the second raid.

The Ylipelto Fur Farm is another victory in the Animal Liberation Front(and other anonymous groups)'s clandestine war to save animals from exploitation where legal means have failed. We must give gratitude to the heroes who brought this sick business to its end.

- Peter Young