500 protest against Animal lab
Animal Rights campaign group Speak took to the streets once again on Saturday to voice their opposition to the new University science labs being built on South Parks Road.
Around 500 protesters assembled on Broad Street on Saturday morning to protest against the recommencing of building work on research labs where they allege vivisection involving animals will take place.
After introductory speeches they began their procession towards South Parks Road, flanked by police. They reassembled opposite the construction site for the proposed lab.
The University's decision to resume work on the South Park's Road site has not deterred the campaigners.
Speak spokesman Mel Broughton assured protestors at the demonstration, "Never ever ever will we give in."
Veterinary surgeon Andre Minash's speech expressed the opinion that results obtained through animal experimentation were unreliable and detrimental to the progress of medical science: "The world is walking in the lion's den of animal experimentation. If we can get it right in Oxford, the whole thing will collapse like a pack of cards."
However, Dr Simon Festing, the British Research Defence Director told this newspaper: "the supposedly scientific arguments used by Speak don't make any sense."
He referred to Minash as: "a crack pot scientist. He has never done any medical research in his life. No credible or medical association in the world supports the campainers."
The demonstration did not pass without incident. Individuals hurled abuse at police, accusing them of traumatizing police horses.
When protester Kay Holder tried to resist being forced in front of the horses' hooves she described being "pushed and roughly treated" by a policeman. She told The Oxford Student: "This is completely typical of Thames Valley Police. I've had friends who've had their feet broken by them."
Demonstrator Dave Thompson claimed to have received minor injuries from police horses and that other protesters were also harmed.
Speak spokesman Robert Cogswell told The Oxford Student: "They have a record of having strong armed tactics against us. We expect it of Thames Valley Police but we will continue to co-operate with them."
Thames Valley Superintendent Paul Sullivan stated: "We have received no complaints from members of the public regarding the actions of any officer deployed on Saturday."
3rd Feb 2005