Environmental protesters really do seem to be putting a whole new spin on the concept of dedicating bodies to the cause of science. First, the Victoria's Secret campaign, then the Fuck for Forest folks (and their waffles), and now this:
Link: Two protesters defend nature au naturel: South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
A luncheon meeting of The Scripps Research Institute board of directors at The Breakers resort was stripped of all decorum Monday when two topless women surprised the diners in the Seafood Bar with a 30-second chant to protest the science center's planned expansion to a Palm Beach County wetlands area.
"Nature yes, biotech no," sang out Lynne Purvis and Veronica Robleto, both 24, who described themselves as environmental activists from Lake Worth. Those words also were painted on their bodies.
...Police issued the women a warning against trespassing.
The pair might have made a clean getaway had they not had to valet-park their car. "There were no free spaces available," Purvis said.
Demonstrating once again, that cars are bad for the environment.
Full Article:
Two protesters defend nature au naturel
By Mike Clary
and Cadence Mertz Staff writers
Posted November 9 2004A luncheon meeting of The Scripps Research Institute board of directors at The Breakers resort was stripped of all decorum Monday when two topless women surprised the diners in the Seafood Bar with a 30-second chant to protest the science center's planned expansion to a Palm Beach County wetlands area.
"Nature yes, biotech no," sang out Lynne Purvis and Veronica Robleto, both 24, who described themselves as environmental activists from Lake Worth. Those words also were painted on their bodies.
Among those who seemed momentarily stunned to get an unfiltered look at the protest movement that has threatened to slow construction of the science center's laboratories were Scripps President Dr. Richard Lerner, about 16 board members and Robin Cook, the author of best-selling science thrillers.
Pulling on their shirts as they fled through the grand hotel's lobby, the protesters were stopped at the front door and escorted by guards to the end of the driveway about 300 yards away. Police issued the women a warning against trespassing.
The pair might have made a clean getaway had they not had to valet-park their car. "There were no free spaces available," Purvis said.
Gov. Jeb Bush had dropped in on the board about an hour earlier, but had departed by the time the protesters appeared at the Palm Beach hotel. Bush introduced trustees, most of whom are from outside Florida, to some of the controversy brewing over the Palm Beach County project.
Environmentalists have threatened lawsuits if Scripps Florida goes ahead with plans to build on Mecca Farms, a now fallow orange grove west of Palm Beach Gardens. Facing years of delay if lawsuits are filed, some county commissioners have considered building elsewhere, though plans at Mecca Farms are moving forward.
In addition to her environmental concerns, Purvis said she also was bothered by Scripps scientists' plans to work with infectious diseases.
In conjunction with representatives of several environmental groups in the Lake Worth area, Purvis said she and Robleto decided on a topless protest in part because of Scripps' partnership with giant Swiss pharmaceutical firm Novartis AG, which makes a drug to suppress breast milk production. This year, a Kentucky jury ordered the company to pay $18.3 million to the family of a woman who died taking the drug, Parlodel.
"We are baring our breasts to bring light to that issue," Purvis said. She and Robleto have been involved in high-profile protests before, in particular about a luxury condo building under construction in Lake Worth.
Many board members laughed off the protest, which took place about 12:45 p.m., just as the trustees were tucking into their grilled yellowtail snapper and mixed baby greens salad. "Encore," at least one man called out as the women fled the oceanside dining room, security and wait staff in pursuit.
Earlier, Bush said after his 20-minute meeting with the trustees that potential problems over the Mecca farms site did not come up. "I really thanked them, that's all," Bush said. "Our interest is simply that, in return for $350 million, we want to be in a situation to plan for enormous success."
The situation seems under control, Bush said. Trustees did not ask for his intervention. ."When asked, I'll get involved. They haven't asked," Bush said.
The estimated $350 million represents the state's share of the cost of luring Scripps to expand to Florida. That money is intended to cover Scripps Florida's salary and expenses for seven years. The county also is kicking in as much as $450 million for land and infrastructure.
Trustees did bring up the site selection with county commissioners at a Sunday dinner at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, said Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Scripps trustee and Palm Beach philanthropist. Board members are both "aware and frustrated" by the monthslong indecision that plagued the County Commission over where to settle Scripps, he said.
Six of the seven commissioners attended the private dinner Sunday night, at which Dreyfoos was the host. And some trustees did speak to commissioners about the legal issues facing Scripps, Dreyfoos said.
"By early December, everybody will know what kind of hardball is to be played," Dreyfoos said. For example, he said, mitigation -- or protecting another piece of environmentally sensitive land in return for being allowed to build on Mecca -- might be enough to satisfy Scripps detractors. If not, the county can still consider less controversial sites.
"Several of the sites would be adequate for the short-term needs of Scripps," Dreyfoos said. "Crystal balls get more and more cloudy after that."
Trustees, Bush and Scripps staff members were eager to turn the focus to the institute's science and away from the lingering site controversy. On their agenda Monday was the purchase of major equipment for the fledgling Scripps Florida, Dreyfoos said.
Bush, who was headed to a meeting of community college presidents to talk about education and technology, said he wants to see scientists collaborating with other scientists. Lerner stressed that Florida colleges and universities are ready to work with Scripps. And institute trustees crowed about the contributions Scripps Florida can make to medicine.
On the street corner at the end of The Breakers' brick driveway, however, there were more signs that Scripps Florida could have a battle on its hands before it can get down to the business of science. After being questioned and photographed by Palm Beach police and hotel security staff members, Robleto and Purvis joined five other protesters who held up hand-lettered posters, including one that read, "Scripps: GOP pork barrel."
Staff Writer Shana Gruskin contributed to this report.
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