SPEAK Xmas Day Vigil - Showing Our Determination

Over 30 people gathered in South Parks Rd to remind Oxford University that no day is off limits in the fight to stop their plans to build another animal torture laboratory. The fact that more than 30 people attended the vigil on Christmas Day clearly illustrates the determination of the animal rights movement to stop the university’s planned torture centre. Although the police presence was low key this time - the bully boy tactics they employed against peaceful protesters only three days earlier has not been forgotten! Oxford University’s own security service spent the duration of the demonstration nervously driving around in a sad attempt to look as if they were in control. Two security guards skulked around on the bare concrete floors of the partially built animal abuse lab trying not to be spotted by protesters but only succeeding in giving the impression they were less than proud of their present employment.

Support from passing members of the public and motorists was fantastic with almost every other car hooting in support of the protesters. For those charged with defending this centre of animal suffering the level of support received must have come as another reminder that with all their security and Government support, Oxford University are in for a very tough fight in the coming weeks and months and let’s not forget the years ahead, as we are in this fight for the long term.

In the three weeks since Oxford University announced the resumption of work on the South Parks Rd site workers wearing face masks have turned the site into something resembling a military stockade. For all those involved in the fight against this affront to real scientific research and ethics the metal clad fences and razor wire have come to symbolise the ‘Fortress’ which clearly illustrates the sinister nature of the vivisection industry. Whether it’s the business deals conducted by the Government behind closed doors with the pharmaceutical industry purely for fiscal gain or the lives sacrificed by Oxford University of those patients involved in the Vioxx trials, it is clear that life is but a commodity to those who are supposedly entrusted to protect it - unfortunately their only desire is to make a quick buck!

But for all the intimidation used against us, the simple truth remains that we as a movement will not be cowed by overt threats and bullying. For all those present on Xmas day it was a chance to reflect on the forthcoming battle and lets make no mistake about it: if Oxford University thought they could silence us with such tactics, they have only proved once again that their arrogance will be their undoing. With only two weeks to go to the national demo on January 14th it’s vital that the animal rights movement comes together to make a stand against those who are determined to extend the dark shadow of animal abuse, and if the enthusiastic participation on Xmas day is any indication, we will indeed be a force to be reckoned with.