University in fresh attempt to silence anti-lab activists
Oxford University has today launched a campaign to straightjacket animal rights protests in the city. Lawyers for the University are seeking a new injunction against activists opposing the construction of the biomedical research laboratory in the city. In response to growing threats on people connected to the labs and the University, the list of people protected under the injunction will be increased if the University is successful.
Hundreds of thousands of staff, students and alumni will all be guarded from intimidation by activists, along with all businesses and individuals who provide goods and services to the University. In an attempt to finally reduce the disturbance caused by protests in the city, the University has also applied for a raft of restrictions to be placed on activists.
If the Court grants the injunction, an exclusion zone around the labs will be extended and the weekly protest permitted under current regulations will be severely restricted. The University hopes that the protection afforded under the injunction will be extended to safeguard more people connected to the University. Under an injunction granted in November 2004, all Oxford staff, students and alumni and their families are protected from intimidation.
A spokesperson said, “The University will be asking the Court to extend this to cover all those who provide goods and services to the collegiate University, their employees, shareholders and families.” The action follows attacks by extremists on donors to the University. Last month, The Oxford Student reported that Vodafone had had its property vandalized in response to a £200,000 donation to the University.
The University has been criticised by anti-vivisection groups for infringing on their legal right to protest. However, the University has denied that this was the case. A spokesperson said, “The University does not want to stop legitimate protest. Oxford University is fully committed to freedom of speech for all, exercised within the law and without threat or intimidation.
Last Friday John Hood, the University’s Vice Chancellor, said that he welcomed Pro-Test and student demonstrations for the animal labs.
18th May 2006