ALF threatens all out war against Oxford students

Hot Rodimus · 02-03-2006, 08:13 PM

Quote:

ANIMAL activists have for the first time threatened violence against all staff and students at Oxford university over its plans for a £20m animal research laboratory.
In a posting on an internet site, the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) has told its supporters that any academic, student or company connected to Oxford is a legitimate target, irrespective of whether they are involved in animal research.

The warning threatens to turn the laboratory into one of the biggest confrontations between animal rights activists and the authorities.

This weekend security sources confirmed that the government was underwriting the multi-million-pound cost of the security operation, one of the most sophisticated mounted by an animal research facility.

Up to 100 security experts, including former soldiers, have been recruited for “counter-surveillance” operations and protection of key workers.

In a sign that the government is determined to take on the activists, it has also emerged that it has earmarked another £20m that can be used for animal research facilities.

Oxford University said last week that it was “appalled” by the ALF statement, but was determined to press ahead with the new laboratory.

The Research Defence Society (RDS) said it was concerned that the threat marked the prospect of a “new era” of violence in the animal rights movement.

The statement, circulated to activists this month, said: “The ALF is calling out to the movement to unite and fight against the university on a maximum impact scale. We must target professors, teachers, heads, students, investors, partners, supporters and anyone that dares to deal in any part of the university.”

Last week every builder working on the new laboratory was masked in a balaclava and accompanied by a personal security guard when walking outside the perimeter. The identity of the contractor has not been disclosed.

One of the most sustained and intimidating campaigns to date by animal rights activists has been against Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS), a commercial centre for animal experiments in Cambridgeshire.

Brian Cass, chief executive of HLS, was attacked with a baseball bat, another member of staff had ammonia thrown in his face and the company’s investors were threatened. HLS’s listing on the New York Stock Exchange was postponed after threats.

Plans to build an animal primate laboratory in Cambridge were abandoned in early 2004 after a campaign. The decision was a blow to Tony Blair, who had given his personal support to the project.

Oxford University said that 98% of animal experiments in the laboratory would be on rodents and fish.

Animal campaigners say the experiments are unnecessary and cause the animals needless suffering.

In July 2004 Montpellier, the contractor building the Oxford laboratory, pulled out after intimidation.
The Department of Trade and Industry and Oxford University have now agreed a joint response to any threats. Work started again on the laboratory site at the end of last year.

It is understood that in addition to uniformed security guards, a team of former military surveillance officers has been recruited for “counter- surveillance” to ensure that key staff and contractors are not being monitored.

Thames Valley police has also created a special unit to combat extremists. It has been allocated extra Home Office money for the project, called Operation Rumble. An injunction has been issued against animal rights groups and individual activists prohibiting them from threatening staff, intimidating contractors and entering university grounds.

Last July the ALF claimed responsibility for an arson attack on a boat house belonging to Hertford College. It is also claiming responsibility for vandalising the property of an Oxford firm of architects which works for the university.

Alf Link

Quote:

Militant animal rights campaigners have declared Oxford students legitimate targets for attack, in the same week that student groups have begun to mobilise opposition to the activists. A posting on the internet forum, Bite Back, claiming to be from the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) said, “We must target professors, teachers, heads, students… and anyone that dares to deal in any part of the university in any way. There is no time for debate... this is make or break time and from now on, anything goes.” Until now activists have refrained from inciting supporters to target students in their fight against the South Parks laboratory. This posting marks a significant steppingup of their campaign. A spokesman for the ALF, Robin Webb, told The Oxford Student, “The ALF has always said the anything associated with the university or the building contractors would be a legitimate target.

“I don’t believe individual students have any reason for concern, as they won’t have any great influence in the decision making process. “However it may be that high-level student groups working against the protesters may be targeted.” The threat comes at a time when some students, increasingly angered by the constant threats to the university, are starting to organise opposition to the activists.

A group called Pro-Test has set up a website to organise a counter-animal activist movement. The group, founded by a non-Oxford student, is planning a march in support of the Oxford laboratory. One of the group’s organisers, who did not wish to be named, said, “Pro-Test is a way to provide a voice for students, public and scientists in support of scientific advancement, specifically animalbased testing.

A peaceful counter-protest is planned for the 25th February, when students will march around Oxford and visit the laboratory itself. A spokesman said that this was an attempt to show respect for the construction workers and scientists involved in the lab. Internet message boards used by Oxford students, such as Oxford Gossip and Facebook, are alive with talk of an anti-animal activist protests.

But there are fears that the nature of the websites could allow animal rights activists to identify individual students amongst the 250 who have expressed their antipathy towards the animal rights movement in Oxford. “Students should be cautious and not use their full names. They should be wary of the ALF and similar groups, as they can be very dangerous. I’m willing to put myself at risk to support science, and I hope students are too,” a Pro- Test spokesman said.

One student, who started one online anti-protester group, said he was not deterred. “I’m absolutely shocked at the threats, and it is worrying because we seem to be being targeted when we can’t do anything. I think the threat is probably an exaggeration - I can’t really see them being willing to support their words.” Simon Festing, Director of the Research Defence Society, said he was delighted that students were taking action.

“It’s important to have a round defence of the project, and students can perhaps be more subtle, and try and engage in a dialogue with activists,” he said. “We are all under threat, whether we keep our heads down or stand up and be counted. Since students are at risk anyway, in my opinion it’s better for them to speak out and try and have a sensible dialogue with those who are willing to talk, and publicly condemn the rest.

Oxford University refused to comment specifically on the new developments. A spokeswoman said, “It is of great concern that a small minority is willing to use intimidation, harassment and threats of violence as part of their indiscriminate campaign of intimidation and criminal activity. “It is totally unacceptable that individuals and companies engaged in entirely lawful activities are being attacked and threatened in this way.

However, she expressed the university’s determination to continue with building at the South Parks site. A spokeswoman for the Thames Valley Police said that the threats should not be dismissed as insignificant. “The university is a very large institution and it is therefore not possible to give general advice,” she said. “Personal security is however something that each individual should consider carefully and make their own choices about.

Last week a group of animal activists entered the grounds of St Anne’s College with placards, refusing to leave until several porters blocked other entrance routes and escorted the protestors off the premises. Protest group SPEAK, who are not affiliated to the ALF, recently told their supporters to be “creative and unpredictable” in their protests. A High Court injunction prevents certain protesters from going within 50m of university property.

SPEAK spokesman Mel Broughton said, “SPEAK is a legal campaign, we are not involved in illegal action, and the only violence that has occurred in Oxford so far has been against protestors, including some 60-year-old women.” However, he blamed the actions of the police for the increasingly violent nature of anti-university action. “The problem is that peaceful protest has been criminalised.

People are going to feel that peaceful action is not getting them anywhere, and that’s when they’re going to make the decision to start using violence.”

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THAT ALF STATEMENT IN FULL

This is just the beginning of our campaign of devastation against ANYONE linked in ANY way to Oxford University. Every individual and business that works for the University as a whole is now a major target of the ALF.

The University have made a crass decision to take us on and we will never let them win! This ALF team is calling out to the movement to unite and fight against the University on a maximum impact scale, we must stand up, DO WHATEVER IT TAKES and blow these fucking monsters off the face of the planet. We must target professors, teachers, heads, students, investors, partners, supporters and ANYONE that dares to deal in any part of the University in any way.

There is no time for debate and there is no time for protest, this is make or break time and from now on, ANYTHING GOES. We cannot fail these animals that will end up in those death chambers. Be warned, Oxford University, this is only the beginning of our campaign. Everyone linked to your institution is right now being tracked down and sooner or later, they will be made to face the consequences of your evil schemes.

2nd Feb 2006

Oxford Link

Ops_was_a_truck · 02-03-2006, 08:35 PM

I'd free the cats first, because if ALF gets in there..whooooweeee...

ckhtiger · 02-03-2006, 08:39 PM

I clicked on this thinking it was about the Alien Life Form little guy from the 80's. I was thinking someone got ahold of a costume and went all over the campus terrorizing students and saying "ha! I kill me!"

on the other hand, while this is big time extreme, as both a science major and a vegan I am against animal testing. there was an article in a journal, I forget which one, about a movement within the sci. community to get away from animal testing, as there are a lot of inconsistencies between certain things that happen to lab animal and the way they affect humans. but that's my two cents. let the "ALF's are freaks" statments commence...

Turbocharger · 02-03-2006, 08:50 PM

God...Do these people ever give up? Yes, I like animals. I would never do anything to hurt one. But I mean....WTF? Get over it ALF. Pick a name that allows people to take you seriously and then go do something worthwhile. I don't agree with animal testing usually. It hurts them and is just plain cruel. But if they are kept healthy, safe, and pain-free...which I doubt they will be, then no problem. Then again, we can make astounding advances in medical science with the help of the animals. So, in short, I would rather protect innocent ones from a group of people called ALF than attack innocent people just because they go to a school where they do animal testing.

Optimus · 02-03-2006, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbocharger

So, in short, I would rather protect innocent ones from a group of people called ALF than attack innocent people just because they go to a school where they do animal testing.

Quoted for truth.

Also, any bets on how long it takes before the military steps in to take these fuckers down for terrorist actions?

Turbocharger · 02-03-2006, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optimus

Quoted for truth.

Also, any bets on how long it takes before the military steps in to take these fuckers down for terrorist actions?

10 bux on one week. not really.

CripNite · 02-03-2006, 10:05 PM

Seriously, how can you see the word "ALF" and not think of Gordon Shumway?

Drake · 02-03-2006, 10:09 PM

It's gonna be an all our war between the Animal Liberation Front and the Golf Ball Liberartion Army!

Zero Prime · 02-03-2006, 10:20 PM

They are no better than terrorists and should be treated as such.

Draven · 02-03-2006, 10:34 PM

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Originally Posted by Zero Prime

They are no better than terrorists and should be treated as such.

I agree:

Quote:

In a posting on an internet site, the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) has told its supporters that any academic, student or company connected to Oxford is a legitimate target, irrespective of whether they are involved in animal research.

Or to put it another way, they will hit "civillian targets". That makes them terrorists in my book, and they should therefore be treated as such.