This footage was filmed and produced 13 March 2024.

[Note: no sound]

During an alumni gathering at the West Palm Beach Marriott, PETA supporters made their voices heard as they confronted University of Massachusetts–Amherst (UMass) Chancellor Javier Reyes over the school's controversial menopause experiments on marmosets. Holding signs and shouting slogans, the protesters brought attention to the inhumane treatment of these animals in the name of science.

The experiments conducted at UMass involve screwing electrodes onto the skulls of marmosets, surgically removing their ovaries, and subjecting them to hormonal injections and extreme heat to replicate symptoms of menopause, which marmosets do not naturally experience. Other disturbing practices include depriving the monkeys of water, restraining them with zip ties for prolonged periods, and subjecting them to various forms of torment.

"PETA is urging Chancellor Reyes to shut down this shoddy laboratory and embrace modern, animal-free research that is actually relevant to humans," stated PETA neuroscientist Dr. Katherine Roe. The organization has received numerous complaints from UMass alums and donors who are concerned about the welfare of the animals used in these experiments.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has cited UMass for several violations, including severely burning a marmoset with hand warmers, failing to notify a veterinarian of sick animals, and allowing monkeys to escape and sustain injuries. The protesters are calling for an end to these cruel experiments and demanding that UMass adopt more ethical and scientifically relevant research methods.

As PETA continues to push for change, it is clear that the issue of animal experimentation in the name of science remains a contentious and emotional topic. The pressure is mounting on UMass and Chancellor Javier Reyes to reconsider their approach and prioritize the well-being of these innocent animals.