Hypocritical abuse

Another fur store, another battle, but this one has a twist. The owner of the Nicholas Ungar Furs downtown has obtained a restraining order against fur protesters claiming abuse because he is an elderly man.

Horst Grimm, owner of Nicholas Ungar Furs at Southwest Yamhill Street and 12th Avenue, obtained restraining orders against the anti-fur protesters in July and August by claiming abuse because he is 75 years old, according to The Oregonian.

Do not worry—you read that correctly. A man whose entire business revolves around the vicious murder and torture of innocent animals claims he is the one being abused. When in reality, the four protesters are just exercising their rights to free speech.

I will admit, sometimes protesters cross the line and sometimes they harass people, but this does not appear to be the case here.

The protesters have been holding signs with sayings such as, “Leave the fur on the animals!” and “Stop the killing!” Run-of-the-mill signs when protesting a fur company, right?

Protesters have actually been holding vigils there since this past January. Detective Mary Wheat said in The Oregonian that no one has been arrested while protesting Nicholas Ungar Furs. This fur shop does not appear to be getting the same heat Schumacher Furs did, which ultimately led to the closing of the latter store.

Noise complaints from neighbors and some issues with paint are the most that have happened where the protesters have been, but the detective has not elaborated on this.

Putting aside the issue of free speech for the time being, this does not necessarily appear to be an anti-fur issue, but more so an issue of hypocrisy. And I believe it is very hypocritical on Grimm’s part.

How can you own a store and be part of a company that condones the brutal torture and killing of innocent animals when you claim that you are being abused by protesters who are just exercising their right to free speech?

I guess it takes a special kind of person. The same special kind of person who thinks that it is OK to sell a coat made out of an endangered species.

In 2005, Grimm paid a $40,000 fine so that he could sell a jaguar fur coat. How immoral can you get? I mean, killing any animal is horrible, but seeking out an endangered species and taking them out of this world for everyone so that one person can look hot is worse.

In July, Grimm asked for restraining orders through Clackamas County against two protesters, Jeffrey John Wirth and Justin R. Kay, who were ordered to stay 150 feet away from Grimm at all times.

Again in August, Grimm asked for restraining orders against Andrea August Parson and Jonathan Waylon Brooks. These four protesters were demonstrating outside of Nicholas Ungar Furs downtown.

Grimm claimed that the protesters were abusing him because of his age, thus using the Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities Abuse Prevention Act for his case.

On Oct. 15, Judge Kenneth Stewart continued with the orders until a Nov. 4 hearing, but he lifted the 150-foot ban and told the protesters that they were not allowed to speak to Grimm. The protesters have since stopped their chanting in order to follow the judge’s order.

It is difficult to draw a line as far as protesters go because it is a free speech issue and no, they do not have the right to harass people (elderly or not). However, this is not a free speech issue.

This is an issue of a hypocrite who chooses to partake in a business that involves the killing of animals but cannot handle the so-called “abuse” protesters are giving him by holding up signs and chanting.