National March & Rally Report Oct 21st 06

The timing for this latest national demonstration couldn’t have been more appropriate. At a time when Oxford University have been running to the High Court to get gagging orders to silence SPEAK the huge number of people who turned out in full voice sent the message out loud and clear - we will always speak out for the animals.

Over 800 people travelled far and wide to show their determination to fight Oxford University all the way in their obscene and misguided attempt to build the animal research and abuse laboratory.

There were a number of inspiring and informative speakers who addressed the crowd throughout the day, some of whom are well known while for others it was their first time at addressing a large crowd, but all the speakers delivered their message clearly and with great passion.

Before the march set off the crowd were addressed by Amanda, of the SPEAK campaign, who reminded everyone that despite the lab being built quickly, now is not the time to feel down, but rather, a time to get active. The laboratory is already a year behind schedule and it still has a long way to go before it’s finished. Standing next to the stage was a primate cage, no more than 3 feet high and 2 feet wide, a cage, very similar to the cages at Oxford University where monkeys are being forced to live. This cage was taken out of Shamrock monkey farm when it closed; a thought provoking piece of equipment which reminded everyone just how vital it is to always keep on fighting to stop animals being imprisoned in these cages.

Carrie was the second speaker to address the crowd and started her speech by telling everyone that though she had never taken part in direct action, she is nevertheless labelled a “terrorist” by Oxford University! Carrie informed everyone of the latest situation in the High Court and the attempts by Oxford University to try and muzzle a legal campaign and how now more than ever, the SPEAK campaign needs everyone’s support if it is to stop animals being tortured inside the university’s laboratories.

Carrie read out a quote from Jack Kerouac, a piece of text that most animal rights campaigners will be able to identify with, in an age when we have been demonised just because we have dared to speak the truth, reminding us all to hold our heads up high and be proud of what we represent:

Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as crazy, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.'

Next to SPEAK OUT against Oxford University was André Menache, a Scientific Consultant to Animal Aid and trained veterinarian. André spoke with passion about why he did not believe in vivisection. He explained that for 30 years he had taken part in personal research, had read books, questioned animal researchers and had come to the conclusion that research on animals was worthless. He implored the students of Oxford University to think for themselves and not believe everything their professors tell them just as those same professors had believed and had been spoon fed the lies of previous professors: “think critically and analytically…and just as important question, question, question, what you are being told.” 

John Curtin spoke next and without naming names pointed out the ridiculous nature of the new injunction against SPEAK that prevents it from naming a company that are the builders of the Oxford Lab. John pointed out that the decision to ban the use of the builder's name was like a “twilight zone” considering millions of people would be aware of the company as their name had appeared on major news service websites – the whole world knows the name of the builders, but we are prevented from uttering their name. John explained the reason Oxford University were resorting to such draconian and repressive measures is because our message is getting through to the public and the vivisectors are terrified of being exposed as the fraudsters they actually are.  As the rain started to fall he reminded people that none of the animals trapped in the breeders cages or the labs have ever felt the rain, and how lucky we are to be able to witness the honour of this simple act of nature that so many will never get the chance to feel.

Last to speak was Miranda who read out a message from Mel Broughton, who unfortunately couldn’t be present as he is currently banned from Oxford.  However, he told people in his message that no amount of repression will silence the animal rights movement. Mel’s message was: they can try and silence people by misusing and abusing the judicial system, but for every person they silence another will always take their place. Mel’s message was one of defiance that included references to George, a macaque monkey, who was blinded by the same Oxford University professor who was investigated by the police for abusing a monkey he was experimenting on. Of course he was never charged by Oxford University’s friends, whilst law abiding and compassionate people are being criminalised just because they believe in the right of animals.  

The march then set off from Oxpens Park and made its way through the City to South Parks Road. It was a lively, noisy and passionate march, except when the crowd were called upon to be silent for a small portion of the route through the streets of Oxford, watched by thousands of shoppers, which had a very dramatic effect.

Despite having a rallying point on South Parks Road, the march was prevented from going near the lab itself, but this did not prevent people from becoming aware of the large edifice that, if we don’t stop it, will one day will see thousands of animals imprisoned, tortured and finally killed at the alter of academic arrogance and a fraudulent scientific practice!

Matthew Simpson enthralled and thrilled crowd as usual when he spoke eloquently of the fight to stop vivisection at Oxford University. Matthew spoke powerfully about vivisection and the fact that it is a “disgusting” practice that has no place in the 21st Century. He detailed the fact that the modern animal rights movement began in 1971, and that one of the first animal rights books was named ‘Animals, Men and Morals’ and was written, planned and published by fellows of Oxford University. Matthew went onto quote from the book, a quote just as relevant 35 years later: “liberty, equality and fraternity, let animal slavery join human slavery in the graveyard of the past.” Such a quote encapsulates the mission of the animal rights movement today as it did 35 years ago when it was still in its infancy.

After Matthew, Amanda once again addressed the crowd, as small delegations of 5 people were escorted up to the fence that surrounds the animal lab fortress. It was explained that the delegation was serving on Oxford University a declaration for the Animals and a declaration of intent of the SPEAK campaign:

Click here

A minute’s silence was then held to remember all those animals that have died at the hands of Oxford University and to think about how each and every one of us can do something to help end it.

The silence ended with a huge eruption of noise for the animals before the march set off for the return journey to Oxpens.

Keith Mann, a familiar figure, addressed everyone when they returned to Oxpens and gave a powerful speech that detailed the growth of the animal rights movement and the fact that it is now a worldwide phenomena that is growing into an unstoppable movement. Once again and like other speakers, he balked at the extremist tag that the animal rights movement has been labelled with. We are called terrorists because we save lives, whilst those that take it, namely the pharmaceutical companies, whose only motivation is the increase profits and who are responsible for killing thousands of people a year, are held up as law abiding citizens.

As everyone got ready to leave Amanda spoke to everyone saying that she didn’t want to hear anyone saying it had been a good day, because it would only be a good day if, while on the journey home, everyone was already thinking of what they can do next to help in the fight against the new animal lab. It’s an old cliché, but still so apt…if not you, then who?