Protesters against animal testing lab Sequani who held signs and chanted outside the Ledbury based contract-testing establishment are now on trial for breaching a section of SOCPA that exclusively protects animal research organisations.
The campaigners have been targeted by police in raids to their homes and at one stage were even subject to the use of a Section 42 (banning home demos) on the grounds the lab is situated near ‘dwellings’! This extreme interpretation of the law was found subsequently to be illegal and activists had to be compensated.
Now the campaigners are on trial for expressing their feelings about the lab. Crackdowns on protest should be of concern to everyone who wants the right to express themselves on issues they feel strongly about. This Section of SOCPA may only apply to animal research now, but who will be next climate change campaigners, arms trade activists?
Targeting normal campaigners who hold banners may simply drive more activists underground acting as a recruiting Sargent for the ALF (Animal Liberation Front). People will begin to take actions that avoid contact with the police and are damaging to the businesses targeted. This week on the 24th an action was reported anonymously via the Western Animal Rights Network against Biffa who they say is a supplier to Sequani. The action was simple they glued the locks.
Tags: ALF, Animal Liberation Front, Animal Research, Animal Testing, Protest, Sequani, SOCPA
