Early this year I was interviewed by Gloria Hunniford who made it
clear that, for herself, using animals so as to further research on
human cancers was justifiable; and, she went on to give full support for
a marathon held for such a purpose. She conveyed in the programme the
impression that animal activists were all of a violent type to be
equated with that of a grave dug up by an extremist faction. Yes, her
view expressed was akin to those who give credence to ‘respectable’
scientific bases such as Porton Down, support for the ‘hoorah for henry!’
mentality of blood sports enthusiasts, and undoubtedly awe and obeisance
to that profound elite who - with culture and decorum - torture animals
in Oxford. As for any who might question the latter - or suggest a
liaison with the police! - such ‘arrogance’ may savour of ‘forgetting
one’s station in academia’. Well, this did not affect a response from
the prestigious Oxford Mail! On the 31st of May its most bold headlines
on the front-page read: as follows:
DAMNING: CASE AGAINST LABORATORY PROTESTERS COLLAPSES AS THE COURT HEARS ‘UNPROFESSIONAL’ TAPE RECORDINGS MADE BY THE POLICE!
Yes, thank God! A lady Judge cleared the animal activists who had
been militantly – yet legally – protesting against Vivisection at the
University; and she slated the police for their Draconian methods, which
had included them referring to the animal activists as no less than
‘shit’ and ‘cunts’. Such vile four letter words had been picked up on
tape recordings and used as undeniable evidence. Indeed, that such
language should have been used was admitted by the deputy chief
constable as ‘very regrettable and most unprofessional’.. Yes, I would
add: and more so when more women protestors were the target than men,
and when the eldest activist was a lady in her seventies! When – O when?
– will the public realise that the vast majority of animal activists are
educated, refined and extremely caring folk? Sadly, however, one or two
uncouth yobs affiliate themselves to our noble cause and it is to the
antics of these that both the media as well as our opposition give, far
too often, the publicity and prominence.
It is an honour and a privilege to know several Quakers who are
active in the animal cause, and once again non more so than octogenarian
Joan Court. Yes, a cultured Cambridge graduate who last week had a slop
bucket literally emptied over her head while protesting against Pate fio
de gras outside a Cambridge restaurant serving the same. Yet she intends
returning to the same spot to make yet further silent vigils outside of
it. She was once a personal supporter of Ghandi himself, and certainly
hasn’t lost that militance. Below, we have a photo from the Oxford Mail,
and what they had to say about her vigil and fast on the 27th of April: