Animal protesters to hold ‘carnival’
Herefordshire Journals, August 27, 2008

As police prepare for “anything from a dozen to a few hundred” protesters gathering for a ‘Carnival Against Vivisection’ at Ledbury next Saturday, September 6, organisers have urged those taking part to wear green and black, and bring noise-making equipment – “let’s make this a day they won’t soon forget,” they say.

Campaigning against Ledbury-based Sequani laboratories, supporters are urged to meet as noon outside the town’s rail station.

The event is “in solidarity” with Sean Kirtley from Malvern, who was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in jail at Coventry Crown Court in May for his part in a prolonged campaign against the company and other Herefordshire businesses.

Police say demonstrators will be allowed to march from The Homend and back, providing there are “no significant issues” beforehand.

At a demonstration last December five protesters were arrested after they had sat down and blocked a road in Ledbury.

Since the Kirtley case, campaigners have been wary about police activity at protest venues, and say they are starting “to organise without organisers”.

Unsurprisingly, police have appealed for organisers of the Ledbury protest to get in touch, in the interests of safety, so that the police can facilitate a lawful and peaceful protest.

Campaign press spokesman Chris Dow-deswell told the Journal: “It’s a strange state of affairs in that the police have asked me to organise the event, but I have refused.

“Since Sean’s imprisonment it’s hardly likely that anyone will organise a demonstration.

“I think Ledbury will be like turning up at a party to see whose birthday it is”.

Meanwhile, a Campaign website states: “There are still a few campaigners who constantly stand in defiance of the establishment, knowing full well that nothing the police or authorities can dish out will ever compare to what the animals inside Sequani go through on a daily basis”.

Source  http://www.herefordshirejournals.com/2008/08/27/animal-protesters-to-hold-carnival

Support Sean  http://www.supportsean.wordpress.com
Carnival imc feature  http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/08/407270.html
Stop Sequani topic page  http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/actions/2008/sequani
Stop Sequani website  http://www.sequani.wordpress.com