Oxford MP demo'ed by SPEAK - doesnt like awkward questions
Andrew Smith | 29.05.2006 15:40 | Animal Liberation | Oxford
Evan Harris, the Lib-Dem health spokesperson and local MP in favour of the controversial animal lab being built in Oxford recieved a visit from protesters who want to challenge some of his public statements on animal testing. It seems when it came to the crunch, he was left without words. Below is an article from Speak Campaigns.
Democracy for whom? - Demo report, Saturday 27th May
Over thirty supporters of the SPEAK campaign braved the driving rain to pay a visit to the Saturday morning surgery of Mr. Evan Harris the Liberal Democrat M.P. for Abingdon - unquestioning and fervent supporter of Oxford University’s planned animal torture lab and of animal research in general - wherever it raises its ugly head.
Mr Harris was clearly a little put out to be greeted by those who he has taken every opportunity to call 'extremists'. Very telling was his reluctance to explain his remarks to a SPEAK representative in front of the media. In fact, Mr. Harris seemed positively camera shy. When asked to explain his remarks to those present he said he would only be willing to talk to people who would be prepared to give him their full name and address. This request was met by the SPEAK representative who gave his full details. Clearly Mr. Harris did not want to take part in this most basic act of democracy as he then altered the criteria of who he would be willing to speak to. Obviously the name and address ruse didn’t work so he then stipulated that he would only speak to people who lived in his constituency and then away from the cameras.
As we are all to aware, those that support vivisection are seldom questioned on those opinions or asked to present empirical data to support their outlandish claims that vivisection is the most effective way forward in finding cures for human disease. It must also have come as a shock for Mr Harris to have to justify his public pronouncements that those people that are opposed to vivisection are 'extremists'. However when asked to talk about those opinions in front of the television camera, with those he has labelled ‘extremists’, he is unable or at least unwilling to defend his position. When asked by two local residents if he would represent their views in Parliament, Mr Harris replied that he would do so only if he agreed with them – so much then for an MP representing all those in their constituency!
Oxford University have repeatedly tried to ride roughshod over anyone who speaks out against them. Oxford University have orchestrated a campaign of misinformation against anyone that opposes them; ably assisted in their campaign of deceit by the likes of Mr Harris. Mr Harris and all those public figures that are heavily under the influence of the vivisection industry can expect to be exposed and tackled for their deceitful behaviour in the future. Public figures that support a scientific practice that is responsible for killing in the region of ten thousand people in the UK alone, must be made accountable for what they support – the fact that Mr Harris cannot even justify that support in front of the camera speaks volumes as to his true motives.
Despite Mr Harris's reluctance to take part in a real piece of live democracy, the demonstration was a great success and will remind all those who support animal abuse that while they may seek to hide the truth we will actively expose the lies and deceit which stand in the way of real science and real ethics.
This was only the start of the day’s protest and, despite being wet through, the activists set off for part two. On arrival in Oxford they re-grouped and made their way to the Martyrs memorial on St Giles. Once at the memorial they climbed the steps and unfurled the banners. This made an instant impact and was visible to all those in this busy part of Oxford city centre. A megaphone was used to relay the message of animal suffering at Oxford University and inform everyone why we were standing firm in our fight to stop Oxford University from completing another monument to animal abuse and ‘Dark Age’ science.
This was our first response to Oxford University’s attempt to take away our democratic rights to protest on behalf of the voiceless and they can rest assured that we will never give up no matter what they try and throw at us. It is testament to all those brave and compassionate individuals who are still prepared to stand up and fight on behalf of the defenceless that, despite all the negative and blatantly biased media coverage of late, so many are still unbowed and ready to keep on standing up for what is both ethically and scientifically right.
Next week will see the start of a new and exciting stage in the campaign. Look out for the important demo announcement on the evening of Tuesday 30th May and please make every effort to join us on the demo on Saturday 3rd June.
For more information see www.speakcampaigns.org.uk
Over thirty supporters of the SPEAK campaign braved the driving rain to pay a visit to the Saturday morning surgery of Mr. Evan Harris the Liberal Democrat M.P. for Abingdon - unquestioning and fervent supporter of Oxford University’s planned animal torture lab and of animal research in general - wherever it raises its ugly head.
Mr Harris was clearly a little put out to be greeted by those who he has taken every opportunity to call 'extremists'. Very telling was his reluctance to explain his remarks to a SPEAK representative in front of the media. In fact, Mr. Harris seemed positively camera shy. When asked to explain his remarks to those present he said he would only be willing to talk to people who would be prepared to give him their full name and address. This request was met by the SPEAK representative who gave his full details. Clearly Mr. Harris did not want to take part in this most basic act of democracy as he then altered the criteria of who he would be willing to speak to. Obviously the name and address ruse didn’t work so he then stipulated that he would only speak to people who lived in his constituency and then away from the cameras.
As we are all to aware, those that support vivisection are seldom questioned on those opinions or asked to present empirical data to support their outlandish claims that vivisection is the most effective way forward in finding cures for human disease. It must also have come as a shock for Mr Harris to have to justify his public pronouncements that those people that are opposed to vivisection are 'extremists'. However when asked to talk about those opinions in front of the television camera, with those he has labelled ‘extremists’, he is unable or at least unwilling to defend his position. When asked by two local residents if he would represent their views in Parliament, Mr Harris replied that he would do so only if he agreed with them – so much then for an MP representing all those in their constituency!
Oxford University have repeatedly tried to ride roughshod over anyone who speaks out against them. Oxford University have orchestrated a campaign of misinformation against anyone that opposes them; ably assisted in their campaign of deceit by the likes of Mr Harris. Mr Harris and all those public figures that are heavily under the influence of the vivisection industry can expect to be exposed and tackled for their deceitful behaviour in the future. Public figures that support a scientific practice that is responsible for killing in the region of ten thousand people in the UK alone, must be made accountable for what they support – the fact that Mr Harris cannot even justify that support in front of the camera speaks volumes as to his true motives.
Despite Mr Harris's reluctance to take part in a real piece of live democracy, the demonstration was a great success and will remind all those who support animal abuse that while they may seek to hide the truth we will actively expose the lies and deceit which stand in the way of real science and real ethics.
This was only the start of the day’s protest and, despite being wet through, the activists set off for part two. On arrival in Oxford they re-grouped and made their way to the Martyrs memorial on St Giles. Once at the memorial they climbed the steps and unfurled the banners. This made an instant impact and was visible to all those in this busy part of Oxford city centre. A megaphone was used to relay the message of animal suffering at Oxford University and inform everyone why we were standing firm in our fight to stop Oxford University from completing another monument to animal abuse and ‘Dark Age’ science.
This was our first response to Oxford University’s attempt to take away our democratic rights to protest on behalf of the voiceless and they can rest assured that we will never give up no matter what they try and throw at us. It is testament to all those brave and compassionate individuals who are still prepared to stand up and fight on behalf of the defenceless that, despite all the negative and blatantly biased media coverage of late, so many are still unbowed and ready to keep on standing up for what is both ethically and scientifically right.
Next week will see the start of a new and exciting stage in the campaign. Look out for the important demo announcement on the evening of Tuesday 30th May and please make every effort to join us on the demo on Saturday 3rd June.
For more information see www.speakcampaigns.org.uk
Andrew Smith
e-mail:
andrew.smith@oxford.ac.uk