HONOUR AND DISHONOUR

Encaenia demonstration - 20 June 2012

Oxford University always bestows an honorary degree to a vivisector at its Encaenia Ceremony and this year was no different. However, also receiving an award this year was the highly respected Burmese pro-democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi, who brought out crowds of hundreds of people eager to see her, and who also got to hear about the atrocities being carried out on animals at the University.

The Encaenia Ceremony is the most prestigious event in the University's calendar and includes all the highest ranked University notables as well as those receiving the honorary degrees. This years animal abuser of choice for an award was Dr Henry Barnett, a neurologist who co-founded and was the first Scientific Director of the Robarts Research Institute, a facility that carries out animal research.

It was a beautiful day for a demo with hundreds of tourists, locals and those wanting to see Aung San Suu Kyi in the vicinity. Activists arrived after 10am and set up outside both entrances to the Sheldonian Theatre: a stall with colourful banners outside the Broad Street entrance and large banners and placards on Catte Street. Leaflets were handed out and speeches were made over the megaphone to all those gathered as to why the protest was taking place and who it was aimed at While the procession of dignitaries made their way into the theatre they were reminded of the cruelties Oxford University carries out on animals behind the closed doors of its laboratories.

During the ceremony people wearing university gowns approached the stall to talk to SPEAK supporters, some taking leaflets and some signing the petition. When the ceremony ended at least three senior academics all signed and commented on the disgrace that is vivisection. One distinguished gentleman said he couldn't understand why Oxford University hasn't realised the advantage, both ethical and scientific, of changing to non animal research. Many others said they were pleased and encouraged that SPEAK is still persistent in our opposition. A couple of others spoke about how odd it was that with one hand the University bestows an honour to Aung San Suu Kyi, a fierce defender of democracy, whilst on the other hand it tortures animals at the same time that it does its best to stop people protesting against it.

At the other side of the theatre activists got back in position when the ceremony ended, so that the banners against vivisection could be seen as the awardees left.

The irony was not missed by members of SPEAK, that Oxford University (rightly) bestowed Aung San Suu Kyi with an honorary doctorate, then instructed members of its security team to stand in front of the SPEAK banners in an attempt to hide them from the pro-democracy leader as she left.