From the former British Union for the Abolition of
Vivisection journal AV Times (November 1970)
Well over 400 marchers followed the League Against Cruel Sports float
on its way from Lincoln's Inn Fields to Whitehall on October 4 - St.
Francis's Day.
Leading the protesters against blood sports with League Chairman,
Raymond Rowley, were all-round animal welfare celebrities, Spike
Milligan and Celia Hammond - who handed-in a separate anti-vivisection
protest at Number Ten Downing Street at the end of the March.
Purpose of the League-organised march was to present a petition to
the Prime Minister to call the attention of Parliament yet again to
hare-coursing and otter and stag-hunting.
The programme began with a short inter-denominational service at the
Kingsway Hall conducted by League President, the Rev. Lord Soper, who
took for his subject Man's responsibility to God and the animal kingdom.
He was followed by League Chairman Raymond Rowley who made a point of
thanking all the many animal welfare societies who had given their
support to the protest.
Among the marchers were many BUAV members and supporters who filed
behind the Animal Aid Float along the Strand, via Trafalgar Square and
down Whitehall past BUAV/HQ to the entrance to Downing Street.
The marchers gained the interest and much sympathy from the crowds of
Sunday visitors along the route, particularly round Trafalgar Square.
Police from the West End divisions of the Metropolitan Area commented to
protesters that they had made this compulsory day of duty far easier
than most demonstrations of this kind.
And maybe St. Francis - who, earlier this year, no doubt took his
step-down in saintly stature with his usual earthly equanimity - was as
impressed with the spirit of human brotherhood shown on his own day as
he was pleased with this unanimous concern for their brothers, the
animals.
Reproduced with thanks.
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