biosafety lab

Two more free-speech arrests in Boston

adamg — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:46:21 -0400

Boston Police report arresting two protesters yesterday outside the BU deadly-germ lab under construction on Albany Street:

... On arrival, officers observed several females milling about on the sidewalk in front of the bio-lab. Officers further observed that one of the females had white makeup on her face, with red makeup mixed in to look as if she had blood on her face. The female with the makeup on her face then lay down on the sidewalk. While she was on the ground, a second female drew a chalk outline of her body on the sidewalk. As this was going on, both pedestrians and cars began slowing down to witness what was going on. In short time, traffic began to back up. At this point, officers asked the females if they were in possession of a permit allowing them to occupy the sidewalk. ...

Mary Collela, 21, of Cambridge and Leeanne McHugh, 22, of Dorchester were then arrested and charged with disturbing the peace and damage to property (graffiti).

You may recall the last time Boston Police arrested somebody for failing to have a sidewalk occupancy permit, the Suffolk County DA's office dropped the charges because the guy's actions "did not rise to the level of criminal misconduct." However, in that case, the protester wasn't drawing chalk outlines on the sidewalk.

Why a panel of scientists is worried about the BU biolab

adamg — Sat, 03 May 2008 21:45:39 -0400

Read for yourself the National Research Council report on why it thinks more study is needed before BU should be allowed to study deadly pathogens in the South End.

Biolab follies - Phoenix report.

Deadly pathogens still on track to come to the South End

adamg — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 12:32:40 -0500

Although David at Blue Mass. Group writes this one's not over yet, folks. Something about federal backers of the plan ignoring pesky scenarios like incredibly painful, mosquito-borned viruses escaping.

Rebel alliance deploys light cannons against evil empire

adamg — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 19:01:07 -0500

Boston IMC posts photos of messages opposing BU's biolab "painted" on downtown buildings on Monday with a "light cannon," i.e., a really big projector.

Weekly death march at City Hall

adamg — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 15:47:14 -0400

Photos from the latest BU biolab protest outside City Hall - featuring folks who look like they rushed right over from a Somerville zombie parade.

BU has to look at alternatives for its deadly-virus lab

adamg — Sun, 06 Aug 2006 21:45:58 -0400

On Blue Mass. Group, David analyzes the court ruling that will make BU look at alternative sites for its planned South End biosafety lab:

... As for the Mayor, his own quote, which I assume was intended to show what a good idea the lab is, says it better than I ever could:

"I'd be a fool to think about putting a lab in the city that would have a catastrophic effect on the community," Menino said in a telephone interview.

You would indeed, Mr. Mayor.