Hundred come out to march against animal testing lab
LISTEN TO US Demonstrators on the march
ANIMAL rights campaigners took to the streets of Gosport in ‘the first of many’ protests against a newly-arrived testing centre.
Organisers hailed the march a success after around 100 people turned up to voice their opposition to Wickham Laboratories, which is moving some of its operations to a new building in Barwell Lane.
The Stop Wickham Animal Testing group changed the location of its annual demonstration – which usually takes place in Wickham – on Saturday to raise awareness of the plans.
They marched from Christ Church Hall, in Stoke Road, to the town’s ferry terminal where activists gave speeches and denounced what they described as outdated and unnecessary tests on animals carried out at the laboratories.
Organiser Jeanette McClunan said she was delighted with the level of interest the march had attracted.
‘This is definitely going to be the first of many,’ she said.
‘It has been well attended and hopefully has helped get our message out to people in Gosport.
She added: ‘It’s awful that the council here has not raised any objections to the labs moving here. It’s not something that people here want or need. Testing on animals is cruel, outdated and unnecessary. We should be using and improving the alternatives rather than expanding these kind of laboratories.’
More than 20 police officers accompanied the marchers as they made their way along the road waving banners and chanting slogans.
Inspector Darren Murphy said the officers were only ensuring the safety of protesters walking on the road.
‘We have worked with the organisers before,’ he said.
‘They are always very open with us about their intentions and willing to listen to what we have to say. I wouldn’t have any objections if this did become their regular march route.’
Marching in the protest was 25-year-old Richard Harper, of Castle Street, Portchester, who said: ‘It’s important we raise awareness of what this company does to animals, so people in Gosport know who’s moving into their area.’
The march began two hours late at 2pm.
Wickham Laboratories declined to comment when contacted by The News.
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Comments
There are 22 comments to this article
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Pentip
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 10:41 PMPerhaps Turktowner can provide evidence to justify his comment about Cllr Hook and when not able to do so, apologise.
Alverman
Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 10:01 AMWhat a wonderful event to allow the ridiculous and misinformed to celebrate their total lack of contact with reality. This was an obvious siccess.
turktowner
Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 12:35 AMWhat pathetic childish ego-driven individuals we have as councillors here in Gosport. Not content with stuffing their petty sniping "newsletters" which consist of nothing more than bitching about their rivals through our letterboxes they come on here to point score. Yes I did mean all of you. Chegwyn, Smith, Hook - no wonder people don't vote with pompous, self-righteous, attention-seeking clowns like you in local politics.
Andre Menache
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 11:27 PMIt is clear from the comments that many people are not aware that a non animal method already exists to replace the use of mice. Not only did the UK National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) develop a non animal method back in 1999 (which has already saved the lives of thousands of mice), but just two months ago, the US company Allergan (who are the manufacturers of the original "Botox") announced that it had developed a completely animal-free method for testing batches of Botox. The non animal method will replace at least 95% of the mice tests. We should therefore recognise the fact that the technology now exists to replace the use of mice. It is thanks only to public pressure, largely as a result of animal rights protests and consumer pressure that companies like Allergan have made the decision to develop the non animal method. Otherwise we would have waited another 20 years and many thousands of animals would have suffered and died as a result.
nursey
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 09:33 AMIf you go back to comment 1 Dave Smith was talking about the days event,...unlike some people who couldn't be bothered and as he rightly pointed out he was the only one attending out of the 34 councillors we have.......Is it not important enough to hear what the public are trying to do with these protestsmarches..............The Government wear blinkers and turn a deaf ear it is sad.........................Caroline Dinenage never came she likes archery instead..wonder who footed that bill for her enjoyment........... Animals suffer enough abuse in the hands of humans......a little kindness goes a long way
share1
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 12:42 AMI'm an obscure member of the public, Councillor, I can't believe you'd know for a minute who I was even if I were to use my full name on this site. I'm certainly not hiding behind the user-name, if that's what you're suggesting. I simply disagreed with your opinion on the matter - and even more so with the extent to which it appeared you were using your presence at the march to plug yourself. No nerves touched here, don't you worry. Chris2, I'm aware that Botox toxicology tests are performed at Wickham - however I wonder how you know that all of that is used cosmetically? The answer is, it isn't. There's a wide range of medical uses for the Botox tested at Wickham. This is the reason it continues to be tested, not because of some loophole in the law as you suggest. I'd like to point out, once again, that I do not advocate animal testing. I find it a sad reality that unfortunately, in some cases, it is the only effectivepractical method of ensuring the safety of the thousands of drugs and products we use on a day to day basis. The reason I am objecting so strongly on this comments board is because the original opinion of Councillor Smith seemed misguided - and I'd rather play the devil's advocate and actually try to educate people than sit back and watch them live in ignorance.
Cllr DaveSmith
Monday, September 5, 2011 at 10:22 PMMr Oliver = Chegwyn Gosportonian = Chegwyn
nursey
Monday, September 5, 2011 at 08:23 PMIs one meant to be commenting on the plight of innocent animals being put through awful ordeals.............It seems some small minded people go out of their way to insult people............... councillors should take a leaf out of Dave Smith book and help fight this cause, and full marks for Dave Smith in supporting it...............Councillors are like dormice they lay dorment until something attracts their attention and when that happens it all goes bad anyway.............Stick to the point in hand, it is cruelity to animals, so do the testing on human beings..............................
deanne1
Monday, September 5, 2011 at 07:45 PMsicon67 I can think of some people that could take the place of animal testing and you are rop of the list! And yes you've guessed it ....i'm from Gosport! Now how do you like being upset over a comment from someone you dont know, not nice is it!
MurF
Monday, September 5, 2011 at 06:22 PMsicon67:- I dont live in Gosport, doh! So how do you purpose we test new medical treatments without the use of animals. See the one thing these protesters don't give is an alternative to animal testing. They think, just stop it and the problem will go away. As already mentioned, anyone who uses any modern day medication will probably be using something that is or was tested on an animal. So shall we start testing on humans???? If not, then it's back to testing on animals.... nuh said.
MrOliver
Monday, September 5, 2011 at 06:10 PMA typical mudslinging comment from Cllr Dave Smith. What is it with Gosport Council? Who cares where Cllr. Chegwyn and the 32 other Cllrs. were. What's of concern is Cllr. Smith associating himself with a demo against jobs in Gosport. Some of us remember The News reporting that Cllr Smith was banned from the Council for 12 months for bullying and threatening Council staff. It seems from the way he bullies and threatens his own colleagues that he has learnt nothing.from his time off the Council.
Cllr DaveSmith
Monday, September 5, 2011 at 05:30 PMWhere was Cllr Chegwyn , a self proclaimed animal defence activist ? another playing wax lyrical , saying one thing but as usual doing another???????????????
Gosportonian
Monday, September 5, 2011 at 04:14 PMComment removed by moderator
sicon67
Monday, September 5, 2011 at 01:37 PMComment removed by moderator
chris2
Monday, September 5, 2011 at 12:59 PMOh and by the way, 'share1', while it's true that animal testing is not used for cosmetics in the EU, it IS used for Botox testing due to a loophole in the law. In excess of 70,000 mice are injected with Botox every year by Wickham Laboratories.
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