Joan Court's 48-hour fast ends

At 10am on Friday 16th July, 85 year old animal rights campaigner Joan Court ended the hunger strike she had begun 48 hours earlier. The 48 fast - a protest against the new Oxford animal torture lab - finished as it had begun, with Joan surrounded with the press and media all eager to talk to the single O.A.P., who through her stand had exposed Oxford University and its shameful record of animal abuse and the deceit behind its latest attempts to expand its animal research capabilities.

The University in typical style tried to dismiss the protest as either 'stupid' or 'irresponsible' but the real damage it has done to them can best be judged by the response they gave to Central Television - "we do not wish to comment" or "we are very angry about this". The University is used to a local media that to all intents and purposes does what its told but this time they were on the backfoot and the lofty perch the university usually occupies in the city suddenly looked very shaky indeed. The response from the public grew ever stronger and the usually shy and reticent students began to approach and offer their support to the campaign.

The university and those engaged in building the new animal lab have tried to hide behind a smokescreen which has been fuelled by the various authorities charged with presenting Oxford as the 'academic 'capital of the world. The dark truth about the university's involvement in the systematic and calculated abuse of sentient creatures is something that they do not want made public. The argument that they are involved at the cutting edge of scientific research is true only in the sense that the university scientists and academics deliver the cutting edge which destroys the lives of thousands of animals so that they can gain ever more lucrative research grants and greater kudos amongst the vivisection community.

Joan's 48-hour hunger strike and protest has shone a very bright light on Oxford University and the collaborators who are profiting from building this animal prison. For animals like the 'Oxford Two' who have spent fifteen years inside Oxford University's Dept of Experimental Psychology the 48 hour hunger strike and protest may not be in time but for the thousands of animals who could fill the new site on South Parks Rd it is a timely reminder that we must act NOW. Please join the National demo on Sat 24th July and SPEAK out for the animals. STOP THE OXFORD ANIMAL LAB.

Joan's view of her fast

All of us are constantly exposed to animal suffering - through direct experience, by mail, on the media and from all the grassroots activists and national organisations.

We do not become desensitised but there is a limit to our emotional resources. At the demonstration in Oxford on Thursday 9th July I glanced at the placards around me and suddenly felt so overwhelmed with pity and sorrow by the BUAV poster of a monkey bending over with her head in her hands, a picture of such desolation and despair, it had a massive impact on me so I suggested to the SPEAK Campaign that I could do a sponsored hunger strike - a 48 hour fast, drinking only plain water. SPEAK agreed and so it was arranged for July 14th at 10am through to 10am July 17th outside the building site of the proposed laboratories.

The response to this has been overwhelming and we have raised £529.50 for SPEAK, and to our astonishment it made headlines in the Oxford media and in the Cambridge newspapers. The media were there in force at the beginning of the fast and constantly throughout the 48 hours including filming during the night. Particularly pleasing was the attention of independent and community radio stations including one that specifically appeals to young people. We were surprised by the avid interest of the Oxford Mail who, up until the fast, was conspicuous in its absence and negative reporting of the campaign.

It was great to have so much support from the animal rights movement. Lynn Sawyer camped on the pavement throughout and Darren also chose to fast in order to be ready to take over should I be compelled to give up.

PETA sent a massive bouquet of flowers, trustingly addressed to Joan Court on the corner of South Park Road, Oxford (the site of the labs). Quaker Concern for Animals, Animal Aid, The BUAV, The Amida Buddhist community, IPPL (Int. Primate Protection League), the Young Indian Vegetarians, Mona-UK (an organisation that rescues chimpanzees and other monkeys in Spain) and many others all sent messages of support and solidarity.

Two members of a Roman Catholic group who hold regular vigils at the site visited and brought me a rose every day. I also had regular visits from a Quaker member of the local Friends Meeting House where Oxford animal rights activists have their weekly meetings.

My own resolve, which was at a low ebb on the second day, was upheld by the support from the SPEAK campaign, from my animal rights friends in Cambridge and East Anglia and the dynamic members of the Oxford group. It may be thought invidious to name an individual but I do think Steve from Oxford should be preserved for the nation. His perceptive kindness and practical assistance saved me a great deal of anxiety and embarrassment. And the delicious vegetable stew and dumplings which he made at 2am and which we all shared at the end of the fast was the most delicious meal I have ever eaten.

So thanks everyone. It was a heart-warming experience and whether or not it has had any impact cannot be measured. The Buddhists say that every little drop of water will amass and eventually fill a bucket.

Our cause is just and will prevail.

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