A Chance to make a Real Difference - More Vodafone demo reports

Now that work has resumed on the Oxford lab, its vitally important that a broad range of tactics are adopted in order to stop the lab from ever being completed. SPEAK already has in place different tactics in order to defeat the University and we also have in reserve strategies that will be implemented in the next few months as the building work proceeds.

As we have previously highlighted, Oxford University are walking a tight rope between solvency and the precipice of insolvency. We are all aware that Oxford University doesn't operate within the normal moral framework that society does, whether its killing people involved in drug trials or torturing animals inside their labs, their pursuit of academic kudos or fiscal gain outweighs either the moral or the scientific arguments against vivisection.

No matter where you are in the UK or in the world you can help SPEAK bring to a halt the animal torture lab. The campaign isn't just going to be fought in Oxford but across a massive front, the like of which Oxford University have never experienced before. The campaign to stop Oxford University has only just began, please join us in this truly historic fight.

Why not organise demonstrations against the funders of Oxford University - those helping to fund the university have a pivotal role to play in forcing Oxford University away from their immoral and unscientific practices. Please visit the 'Contact the Funders' page for a list of those companies still dealing with Oxford University. Below are some demo reports from groups in different parts of the country and Ireland, who are taking the fight to Oxford. Leaflets and posters can be ordered from us.

York

Today, activists in York visited Vodafone over their involvement in Oxford University. Hundreds of leaflets were given out to passers by and lots of support was received. Throughout the day, the store manager stood in a window staring at the demo as his shop emptied! The police turned up and told activists to stop using the placards as the pictures of murdered animals and the true face of vivesection are offensive. Throughout the demo, people turned away from Vodafone vowing to never use their services until they stop funding Oxford University.

Worcester

Activists held another demo this afternoon outside Vodafone in Worcester in direct response to the resumption of work last week at the proposed animal torture lab in South Parks Road, Oxford. Once again scores of leaflets were handed out to customers and potential customers of Vodafone asking them to boycott the company until it stops funding Oxford University.

A number of customers took heed of the boycott call and refused to go into the shop after chatting with activists and reading the SPEAK leaflet. The manager who was all sarcastic smiles at first soon looked worn and rattled as customers turned away from the shop and all other customers that did go in also took a boycott Vodafone leaflet in with them which they were handed at the door. Let's hope Vodafone make the wise and ethical decision soon to stop funding Oxford University, and may they be one of many of Oxford University's funders, that pull out, leaving this cruel and barbaric institution financially stranded.

Manchester

A loud and visual demonstration took place at the busiest Vodaphone shop in Manchester for the day of action. Hundreds of leaflets were handed out and many hundreds of people were made aware of the boycott call of Vodaphone. The response was very positive; several people went into the store to complain, while many more showed their disgust at Vodaphone and said they would not be going there for their Xmas shoppping! Several members of the public even said they would be cancelling their contracts due to this!

The protest was only visited by one 'friendly' police officer who said there wasn't a problem and made his way off. Presumably Vodaphone weren't particularly happy about this though as they then called in the street wardens! These officious meglomaniacs tried to throw their weight around but most people on the demo just ignored them and realising they don't actually have any power to remove the protest or try to infringe upon it in any way, they were soon off on their way.

The protest was a definite success and more will be held until Vodaphone sever their financial ties with Oxford University.

Ireland

Members of Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) staged three protests outside of Vodafone stores in Limerick City and Sligo City here in Ireland in support of the campaign by SPEAK to stop Oxford University building the animal torture lab. Vodafone was targetted as part of SPEAK's campaign to encourage Vodafone to stop donating to Oxford University until such a time as the university pulls the plug on the new animal torture centre it wants to construct. Increasing numbers of people are turning their backs on vivisection and more people are refusing to support an industry that tortures millions of defenceless animals in unscientific, flawed and barbaric experiements. ARAN will continue to support SPEAK and will continue to protest against the funders of Oxford University as long as they persist with construction.