Old school AR tactics work, say vivisection industry!

Some USA activists have got the right idea.

An article in the Guardian about 2 activists convicted of peaceful protest and free expression reveal some interesting admissions from those inside the vivisection industry – old school animal rights tactics work! While many peoples response will be 'no shit', it is a point worth re-emphasising as the movement becomes increasingly pacifistic in the UK.

The Guardian reports that “In 1981 there were 34 companies breeding laboratory animals. Today there are just three because of activists' intimidation of staff and of companies supplying services and products to laboratories.”

This is confirmed by Andy Cunningham, a Harlan manager who admits "Part of the overall reduction in company numbers has involved consolidation of businesses, but there is no doubt that intimidation has led to the closure of many other companies,"

Replace 'intimidation' with 'robust protest' and they are totally right! The animal rights movement has the formula for success. While we must adapt to the changing legal framework we must not abandon the time tested methodology.

We must focus our energy and get back to old school animal rights. But focus on what? Professor Roger Morris, head of bioscience at King's College London gives us a clue “We are now down to our last three major breeders in the UK. We can manage with that, but if we lose another we will be in a very uncomfortable situation.”