I have never hit or attacked anyone. Even the judge said I was not accused of actually intimidating anyone. It was just this amazing charge they came up with, ‘conspiracy to blackmail’, that was some kind of catch-all.

Our Government is big on allowing people the democratic right to protest but when you become effective at protesting they clamp down on you like the worst form of dictatorship. We formed SHAC because we were genuinely heartbroken that trusting animals were being bred to be led into laboratories to have all sorts of unspeakable things done to them. We had no trouble raising money because millions of people out there are horrified at what goes on in animal testing but it was extremists, not us, who carried out attacks on people’s homes. We went out of our way to ensure our campaign was above board and legal but they found a way to bring us down.

When I get out I plan to establish an animal sanctuary, maybe helping animals who have been tested on. The Government has me targeted so I want to help in any effective way I can. I find it incredible that as someone exercising a right to protest against cruelty I land up in jail next to people who have killed and tortured children.

I am working as a listener helping vulnerable prisoners while in jail and making the best of it. My legal team is currently considering an appeal.

--------------------------------------------------

Birthday: 30 January

Please send letters and cards of support to Heather to show her the movement is still strong and she is in all our thoughts. See the link below to see what else you can send Heather to help her in prison.

Heather Nicholson (VM5859)
HMP Bronzefield
Woodthorpe Road
Ashford
Middlesex
TW15 3JZ

Letter from Heather read out at SHAC National March 2007  http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/11/385653.html