Oxford prepares for fresh wave of protest as building resumes on Parks Road lab
Oxford prepares for fresh wave of protest
Oxford University is preparing for a new barrage of protests from animal rights activists, after restarting work on the £20 million animal research facility on Parks Road. Although the original contractors pulled out of the project 16 months ago, following intimidation by activists, the university announced in December that work was to resume under a new contractor.
Protestors from all over the country are being transported to Oxford for a demonstration outside Balliol at midday on Saturday 14th January, prompting all university libraries to shut for the day. Animal rights group SPEAK say on their website, ‘It is vital that we keep up the pressure against the university. Let’s make 2006 a year to remember; a year in which we see Oxford University abandon their plans.’ The university says it remains “totally committed to the project”.
A spokesperson said, “Of course we accept that there are greater security implications but these have been carefully considered over the last few months. Work has resumed and we are committed to completing the project. “We fully accept that people have a right to legitimate and peaceful protest. What is not acceptable is more criminal activity, such as the intimidation and harassment of staff.
Robert Cogswell, spokesman for SPEAK, is equally resolute: “We expected Oxford University to put up a fight, but we are determined to ensure that this lab is never built. We have plans in operation for the following year to force them to scrap the project. “Saturday’s demonstration is going to show them our intentions. We are starting the year as we mean to go on: fighting every step of the way. Every single brick they lay will be a struggle and a fight.
At the press conference to announce the resumption of building, David Holmes, the Oxford University Registrar, refused to answer the majority of questions, citing “security concerns”. He said construction costs would remain close to the planned £20 million budget, but refused to estimate additional security costs or comment on whether the government was contributing to them.
The Department of Trade and Industry is believed to have given financial assistance with the extra security costs, but the university will not cofirm this. The government has also refused to disclose whether it has contributed to the bill, saying revealing the data could prejudice policing at the site. The new contractor’s name has not been released for security reasons. Builders working on the laboratory have started wearing masks, fearing for their safety.
In mid-December the hoarding protecting the site was raised by over a metre and plated in metal, in order to increase site security. Police officers, who David Holmes said are “very closely involved” with security measures, have also been on hand at the site. If intimidation continues, the university may seek to expand their High Court injunction, which currently grants a 35 metre exclusion zone around the site.
The current ruling does not cover noise, but with protestors regularly using megaphones outside colleges and disturbing students, the university are currently examining the possibility of imposing a ban on any such activity. A university spokesperson said, “We are concerned that some staff and students at Oxford find work and study disrupted by increasingly noisy protests.
We continue to review the coverage and efficacy of our High Court order, and take advice from legal experts about how this might be extended in the future.” Cogswell says SPEAK is not deterred by such stringent measures. “We have plans to identify the contractors and the builders working on the site and to inform them what it is that they are building,” he said. “The workers can wear masks if they like. It is an indication of the sinister nature of the project.
We are mask-less, and it is clear that they are the real terrorists.” Festive celebrations at the end of last term were also disrupted by the on-going battle. The clinical neurology department was forced to cancel its Christmas party in Café Rouge, Little Clarendon Street, after the details of the party were posted on SPEAK’s website. The manager of Café Rouge, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the bar had received “countless calls” from activists.
This followed the disruption of the experimental psychology department’s Christmas party in the Wheatsheaf pub by activists earlier in the month.
12th Jan 2005