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 qu