Protestors face off on Oxford’s biggest day of demonstrations
Student members of Pro-Test debate the route of Saturday’s march
Oxford is preparing for a day of protest as both the first student march in favour of the South Parks animal lab and the monthly SPEAK demonstration will take place simultaneously this Saturday. The Pro-Test committee of nine students met last weekend to finalise details for Saturday’s march, while SPEAK activists are also planning to gather in Oxford, congregating in Cornmarket street as the Pro-Test group set off from neighbouring Broad Street.
Pro-Testers have worked closely with local police to draft a route that ensures their paths will not cross with the animal rights activists. “This isn’t a public debate, it is a march,” said one Pro- Test committee member. “This isn’t because we are ashamed or afraid but it is because it is a sensible way to go about our freedom of speech. We don’t want a brawl, and hopefully they don’t want a brawl either. Both of us are just trying to organise our freedom of speech.
“Even Mel Broughton from SPEAK has said we do have the right to march and say what we think. High profile leaders in SPEAK seem to be willing to accept that we have the right to protest. Hopefully that will be the spirit of the day: that we can disagree without brawling.” Robert Cogswell, a leading member of SPEAK, said, “I welcome any public debate. However if their protest is to be peaceful, then why have they chosen to hold it on the same day? It seems some members must be hoping for confrontation.” Cogswell said no such confrontation would come from his side of the debate, as he has advised all his supporters not to go near the Pro-Test campaigners.
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police explained their security plans: “Clearly there is a likelihood that members of the two groups will come across each other throughout the course of the day • whether that is during processions or just through being in the city at the same time. “Both groups have stated that their protest will be law-abiding,” she added.
“However, one reason police are involved in such events is to ensure public safety so, should tempers flare, action will be taken to prevent any criminal activity.” University libraries will be closed on Saturday, and colleges that appear along the protest route plan to adopt extra security precautions. One head porter, who did not wish to be named, said, “Comprehensive security measures will be in place and the college is receiving information from the police on a constant basis.
Similarly Brasenose’s head porter Mike Taylor, said, “All necessary security precautions will be taken. The main doors will be locked and the college will only admit access to those with a legitimate reason for entry.” He said although there has been no direct communication with the police, the college has observed a general sheet of security measures. Hertford College has also been in consultation with the police about college health and safety matters in preparation for the weekend.
While Trinity and New college authorities declined to comment on specific security precautions, New College’s head porter Tom Franklin confirmed, “All in house security measures will be in place this weekend.” On the same day as the two protests, the English faculty will be holding an open day for 180 sixth-formers. A spokesperson for Oxford’s English Faculty said she had not been aware of the date of the protests when she organised the open day.
“Colleges have been contacted about the suitability of Saturday’s open day and all but one are happy with the open day taking place,” she said. The crowd of sixth-formers will be visibly distinguished from the protestors by their luminous orange stickers, which will read, ‘Oxford University English Open Day’. The stickers will allow college porters to grant entry to applicants without fear of admitting protesters too.
The English faculty is yet to receive confirmation from university security advisors as to whether the open day should take place, or receive any advice regarding the security measures the faculty should adopt. Despite such security groundwork, the Pro-Test committee seeks to dispel the fears amongst the student body, that the protest could turn violent. “I am not entirely sure what they [animal rights activists] could do,” said Iain Simpson, Pro-Test press officer.
“I am not going to speculate. Violence would be extremely regrettable, but I am not going to start considering what-ifs.” Pro-Test committee members appeared united in their positive attitude towards the intended peaceful nature of Saturday’s protest and their faith in the local police forces’ ability to maintain the peace in Oxford city centre.
A spokesperson for the TVP confirmed they were happy with the situation: “The idea was discussed thoroughly at a planning meeting held between officers and the Pro-Test organisers and it was clear from the start that the date was of great importance to the group. The organisers have acted very responsibly so far by engaging with police at an early stage and taking advice about their plans.
Animal rights protesters held a candlelit vigil last Friday evening outside the Oxford animal laboratory.
A spokesperson for the Animal Liberation Front, the extremist activist group who are not affiliated to SPEAK, said, “I’m sure many people on the march will support the ALF. “However, bearing in mind the high police presence, it is hardly likely that any criminal activity will be undertaken under the eyes of the authorities.
Oxford University has not been involved in the organisation of the protest but a spokeswoman for the university said, “We are not surprised that so many staff and students see the Pro-Test organisation as a way of conveying their continuing support for the project.” Pro-Test believe that student interest is partially due to a sense of increasing personal involvement with the issue. “We have been forcibly involved by the fact that we have had threats made against us and our property.
That is why I think a lot of the people on the march are going to be Oxford students,” said one committee member. However, as well as being Oxford-centric, the committee were keen to assert, “This is a world issue too, shown by the fact that people support the cause from outside Oxford.” The committee expects a coach-load of students to travel from Reading University to join the march as well as a handful of eminent scientists.
Professor John Stein, an expert in Physiology at Oxford University, will be one of the guest speakers in favour of animal testing at Saturday’s march who will provide the rally with its scientific slant, central to the Pro-Test campaign. Stein suggested the clashing protests were a way of generating maximum publicity for the cause. “Their tactics [animal activists] have been to silence the truth about animal experiments by their threats.
It is extremely disingenuous way of winning an argument.” Stein said that he had felt threatened in the past by animal activists, “Of course I am at risk. I have been at risk even since I started talking about the issue,” he explained. “They threaten us for that reason, so that we wont speak up and voice our arguments.
Other speakers will include local MP Evan Harris, Director of the Research Defence Society Simon Festing and members of the Pro-Test committee, including founder Laurie Pycroft. Pycroft said, “I really don’t think there is going to be any violence. The police are going to keep them away from us and I have done and will make it completely clear that our protest is entirely non-violent, and anyone who wants to be violent is not welcome.
Pycroft’s personal contact details were recently released on an internet site by former classmate Daniel Amos, who posted his name, address and phone number on a gossip forum in response to a request to identify his photograph. Although Pycroft says he finds this a little worrying, he claims he is not really afraid of such personal slights. “I just think it’s sad that people can’t stick to the issues; it shows there are inherent flaws in their arguments,” he said.
A university spokesperson said, “We hope that both demonstrations will be peaceful and legal, and will not result in major disruption to the city of Oxford as people go about their normal business. “Members of the university are entitled to demonstrate their support for the building project in a legal and peaceful manner, but many have felt intimidated from publicly expressing their views before now.”
WHAT THEY SAY
SPEAK
The battle to stop the building of the Oxford animal lab continues. Now more than ever it’s vitally important that the pressure is increased. A crucial element of the campaign will be to get people out onto the streets of Oxford in order to inform the public of the terrible crimes taking place against sentient creatures inside Oxford University.
PROTEST
Suggested slogans for placards are ‘Animal research saves lives’ or ‘Pro- Test supports the Oxford lab’.
Suggested dress is either a white lab coat to show solidarity with the scientific community or Oxford University clothing, or anything else blue, in order that we can show solidarity with the university and the city of Oxford.
23rd Feb 2006