Students will be the next target
Protestors at the SPEAK march last month, carrying a placard quoting Mahatma Gandhi
Militant animal rights campaigners have declared Oxford students legitimate targets for attack, in the same week that student groups have begun to mobilise opposition to the activists. A posting on the internet forum, Bite Back, claiming to be from the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) said, “We must target professors, teachers, heads, students… and anyone that dares to deal in any part of the university in any way. There is no time for debate... this is make or break time and from now on, anything goes.” Until now activists have refrained from inciting supporters to target students in their fight against the South Parks laboratory. This posting marks a significant steppingup of their campaign. A spokesman for the ALF, Robin Webb, told The Oxford Student, “The ALF has always said the anything associated with the university or the building contractors would be a legitimate target.
“I don’t believe individual students have any reason for concern, as they won’t have any great influence in the decision making process. “However it may be that high-level student groups working against the protesters may be targeted.” The threat comes at a time when some students, increasingly angered by the constant threats to the university, are starting to organise opposition to the activists.
A group called Pro-Test has set up a website to organise a counter-animal activist movement. The group, founded by a non-Oxford student, is planning a march in support of the Oxford laboratory. One of the group’s organisers, who did not wish to be named, said, “Pro-Test is a way to provide a voice for students, public and scientists in support of scientific advancement, specifically animalbased testing.
A peaceful counter-protest is planned for the 25th February, when students will march around Oxford and visit the laboratory itself. A spokesman said that this was an attempt to show respect for the construction workers and scientists involved in the lab. Internet message boards used by Oxford students, such as Oxford Gossip and Facebook, are alive with talk of an anti-animal activist protests.
But there are fears that the nature of the websites could allow animal rights activists to identify individual students amongst the 250 who have expressed their antipathy towards the animal rights movement in Oxford. “Students should be cautious and not use their full names. They should be wary of the ALF and similar groups, as they can be very dangerous. I’m willing to put myself at risk to support science, and I hope students are too,” a Pro- Test spokesman said.
One student, who started one online anti-protester group, said he was not deterred. “I’m absolutely shocked at the threats, and it is worrying because we seem to be being targeted when we can’t do anything. I think the threat is probably an exaggeration - I can’t really see them being willing to support their words.” Simon Festing, Director of the Research Defence Society, said he was delighted that students were taking action.
“It’s important to have a round defence of the project, and students can perhaps be more subtle, and try and engage in a dialogue with activists,” he said. “We are all under threat, whether we keep our heads down or stand up and be counted. Since students are at risk anyway, in my opinion it’s better for them to speak out and try and have a sensible dialogue with those who are willing to talk, and publicly condemn the rest.
Oxford University refused to comment specifically on the new developments. A spokeswoman said, “It is of great concern that a small minority is willing to use intimidation, harassment and threats of violence as part of their indiscriminate campaign of intimidation and criminal activity. “It is totally unacceptable that individuals and companies engaged in entirely lawful activities are being attacked and threatened in this way.
However, she expressed the university’s determination to continue with building at the South Parks site. A spokeswoman for the Thames Valley Police said that the threats should not be dismissed as insignificant. “The university is a very large institution and it is therefore not possible to give general advice,” she said. “Personal security is however something that each individual should consider carefully and make their own choices about.
Last week a group of animal activists entered the grounds of St Anne’s College with placards, refusing to leave until several porters blocked other entrance routes and escorted the protestors off the premises. Protest group SPEAK, who are not affiliated to the ALF, recently told their supporters to be “creative and unpredictable” in their protests. A High Court injunction prevents certain protesters from going within 50m of university property.
SPEAK spokesman Mel Broughton said, “SPEAK is a legal campaign, we are not involved in illegal action, and the only violence that has occurred in Oxford so far has been against protestors, including some 60-year-old women.” However, he blamed the actions of the police for the increasingly violent nature of anti-university action. “The problem is that peaceful protest has been criminalised.
People are going to feel that peaceful action is not getting them anywhere, and that’s when they’re going to make the decision to start using violence.”
THAT ALF STATEMENT IN FULL
This is just the beginning of our campaign of devastation against ANYONE linked in ANY way to Oxford University. Every individual and business that works for the University as a whole is now a major target of the ALF.
The University have made a crass decision to take us on and we will never let them win! This ALF team is calling out to the movement to unite and fight against the University on a maximum impact scale, we must stand up, DO WHATEVER IT TAKES and blow these fucking monsters off the face of the planet. We must target professors, teachers, heads, students, investors, partners, supporters and ANYONE that dares to deal in any part of the University in any way.
There is no time for debate and there is no time for protest, this is make or break time and from now on, ANYTHING GOES. We cannot fail these animals that will end up in those death chambers. Be warned, Oxford University, this is only the beginning of our campaign. Everyone linked to your institution is right now being tracked down and sooner or later, they will be made to face the consequences of your evil schemes.
2nd Feb 2006