Making Waves

River Demo Report - Saturday 24th July 2010

On Saturday 24th July, people enjoying their leisure activities along the River Thames in Oxford were treated to the sight of a SPEAK banner clad motor boat making its way along the river. The twelve SPEAK members on board loudly informed others on the river of the useless and horrific experiments carried out on live animals in the infamous Oxford University Laboratories (how sound travels over water!). From small single person crafts to the large tourist laden vessels, the support we received was phenomenal.

Meanwhile, other SPEAK activists walked along the towpath holding placards, handing out leaflets and talking to the many interested members of the public. One of those offering support was an Oxford University lecturer who said that those campaigning against animal experiments have clearly won the moral argument, whilst the scientific arguments supporting vivisection are clearly invalid. Unfortunately he couldn't join us as he feared his job could be in jeopardy, such is the unspoken threat from Oxford University against any who step outside its remit. Another user of the towpath was thrilled to see people standing up for an important issue and doing something to try to make this world a better place.

Because of the intensive campaigning carried out by SPEAK, many members of the public already knew of the barbarities carried out on animals at Oxford University. Others, who did not know of the atrocities, were shocked when given details of some of the experiments carried out on live animals at the university.

Two yobs on the towpath shouted profanities and threatened us with physical violence, and then walked straight into the arms of the ever present police officers! (Yobs such as these seem typical of the support the university has come to rely on). Unbeknown to the officers, an activist was standing behind them and instead of being given a warning for threatening violence, the yobs were told by the police "Take no notice of them, we don't. Just ignore them". As we have always maintained, the police are lackeys of the university.

With new members joining SPEAK, and encouraged by support from the public, we envisage many more highly visible demonstrations taking place.

'till every cage is empty...