JCRs fear animal rights motions
JCR Presidents have expressed their reluctance to pass any animal rights-related motions in their JCR meetings, fearing they may mark out their college for attacks by militant animal rights protesters. Debate has been taking place on the JCR President mailing list after threats made by members of the Animal Liberation Front suggesting students are legitimate targets for attack.
The issue was sparked by a motion proposed in Trinity’s JCR meeting that suggested the JCR should condemn the actions of protesters. The motion noted, ‘This JCR respects the right of everyone to make their views heard legally and peacefully, but condemns the campaign of violence and intimidation by the Oxford animal rights protesters.
Despite the JCR Committee suggesting that the motion be amended to, ‘This JCR would urge animal rights protesters to remain peaceful,’ the motion was overturned. Trinity JCR President Kushal Banerjee left the chair during the meeting to add his own views to the debate. He told this paper, “I felt that I was the best-informed about the issues.
I spoke about security concerns, and stressed the point that the JCR is part of the college as a whole, which acts in line with the general university policy.” Writing to other JCR presidents in an e-mail obtained by The Oxford Student, Banerjee said, “If [the issue] does come up in the future and you want it to fail to avoid the publicity... then you should be OK by the looks of people’s reactions.
Banerjee told this paper, “JCR Presidents did discuss it, but no general consensus was reached because each JCR is individual and its behaviour is impossible to predict.” Balliol JCR President Jack Hawkins confirmed the discussions had been taking place, but said he would be unlikely to follow Banerjee’s lead. “If a motion came up in our general meeting I wouldn’t leave the chair. I think people can make their own decision on this sort of motion.
These new concerns come just days before the anti-animal rights demonstration, organised by new activist group Pro-Test, which is planned to coincide with the next SPEAK march on 25th February. The group this week announced it has come under new leadership, with the single founder, known as Sqrrl101, replaced by a committee. Sqrrl101 told The Oxford Student, “I was contacted by some students who had come up with the idea of being committee- led.
I had been considering delegating control • it reduces my workload, and it also spreads the potential danger from animal rights extremists.” With regard to JCRs’ unwillingness to pass animal rights motions, he said, “I think sometimes groups need to put their collective heads above the parapet and take a stand.”
16th Feb 2006