Protestors packed the Muskegon City Commissioners meeting on Monday---as residents voiced their disapproval over the city’s recent sale of property to an animal testing company.
“I struggle to understand how anyone who loves animals, and I know there are pet owners on the commission, could subject an animal to a life of cruelty, torture and ultimate death," said Lakeside resident Tracy Powers "I urge the commission to reconsider, and to stand up for those who can not stand up for themselves," she said.
One month ago, the Muskegon City Commission voted to sell 20 acres of the former West Shoreline Correctional Facility site to Northern Biomedical Research, a company that conducts testing on various animals including dogs, rabbits and monkeys.
And, both Mayor Ken Johnson and City Manager Frank Peterson have told WGVU that their minds are made up and the sale is final—as Northern Biomedical purchased the land for $40 million and the company vows to generate 70 new high paying jobs once its opened.
Critics of that argument have said however, that the majority of Muskegon residents lack the education to fill those positions, and the company will most likely have to recruit outsiders to move to Muskegon.
