A network of individuals, independent and alternative media activists and organisations, offering grassroots, non-corporate, non-commercial coverage of important social and political issues.

Cambridge Uni Day of Action Against Animal Tests!

Campaingners continue to target Cambridge Uni over animal tests!

Downing Site

Kings College

Cambridge Uni Stall at Big Weekend

Activists from Animal Rights Cambridge were at Cambridge Uni sites today informing tourists and members of the public about the animal testing that goes on in the lab of the Uni, the activist met up at the main town centre and went for a wonder through the Cambridge Big Weekend event (which is sponsored by Cambridge University).

Even before the demo had started the police (no. 1981 Mark Howe) tried to intimidate activists by claiming he could smell cannabis (even though no one was smoking) and then threatened to search the campaigners. An protest who was filming the police throughout the debate between the police and the activists was asked why he was filming and then asked if he would like to escort the officer to the station so they could take a copy of the footage by their video evidence team. When challenged over such law the officer replied “the law doesn't matter” activists duly took note and just left to go off and demo- in general agreement with the sentiment of the officer that the law was irrelevant!

At Cambridge Uni campaigners informed the public about the abuses and cruelty that goes on in the Uni labs. 500 primates are held at Cambridge Medical School at any one time for example. Activists attended Kings and Downing Site before heading back to the Big Weekend to inform yet more people.

The megaphone was used to good effect informing people at Downing Site about the abuse in the labs and it was a good day of action. We will be back, Cambridge Uni and all Uni's that do animal experimentation!

Video to be uplaoded shortly

Animal Rights Cambridge
Homepage: http://animalrightscambridge.webs.com

Comments

Hide the following 9 comments

Just a FYI

10.07.2010 19:24

"......... claiming he could smell cannabis (even though no one was smoking) ...."

I guess you are the sort of radical who doesn't indulge and don't hang out with people who do. The "even though no one was smoking" indicates that.

The stuff has a strong, very persistent odor, sticks to you and your clothes for many hours. For example, when the grandkids come to visit we know if they've smoked pot that day. Unless they showered/shampooed and put on fresh clothes.

MDN

MDN

10.07.2010 20:22

No MDN it doesn't indicate that at all, all it indicates is that the officer in question is a wanabe on a power trip trying to intimidate peaceful protesters as a part of his daily kicks. Rather than tackling real crimes like women being beaten by abusive partners, etc he'd rather have an easy day kicking back threatening the public.

Mr Public

@ MDN

11.07.2010 10:19

Well, needless to say there was no smell of cannabis coming from us. Again it goes without saying no one would be stupid enough to bring any illegal drugs to our protests – no local activist would want to give the police an excuse.

Animal Rights Cambridge
Homepage: http://animalrightscambridge.webs.com

TOTAL misreading?

11.07.2010 11:13

I was commenting on the ARTICLE which is very different than commenting on the event.

"Animal Rights Cambridge" -- I was NOT saying that anybody WAS reeking of pot, not saying that this policeman had ANY reason to say what he did.

I was commenting on the poor journalism (bad report).

To give as a REASON why that policeman was unjustified in saying "I smell cannabis" that you looked around and saw nobody smoking was stupid. Should have said SMELLED no odor of pot so he was talking B..S...

Understand what I was saying now? I believe you; too "serious" to smoke pot. The article should have
so making it clear that the cop was unjustified in what he said. The way it currently reads the implication is that he was JUSTIFIED (since the reason given appears to anybody who knows how pot smells to be an irrelevant denial --- because not saying that there wasn't any such odor, just that nobody smoking AT THAT MOMMENT, and the cop didn't claim that)

MDN

The law

11.07.2010 14:52

To smell cannabis odour in a public place is not enough to justify a search.

@ MDN

11.07.2010 15:15

In that case fair enough - I never said I was a good journo! I would say though a cop that stops someone, not because they think they are smoking pot, but because they could smell it (possibly off their clothes or something) was a bit of a jobs worth (as they invariably seem to be) .

I'm certainly not saying I'm/the other activists are to “serious” (whatever you mean by that) to EVER smoke pot, just not on a protest where it would compromise the action – nor would I wear clothes smelling of it.

But yes for clarity no one was smoking anything and there was no smell of it from anyone in our group, or indeed the area in general.

Animal Rights Cambridge
Homepage: http://animalrightscambridge.webs.com

That's why I was commenting

11.07.2010 18:27

We've got to learn how to do a better job. Indymedia is all of us doing the reporting so we have to learn how. At least if we are ever to get taken seriously. Bad grammar, bad spelling, not such a big deal. Mistakes that change the MEANING of what we want to say, bad.

I knew you WANTED to be saying that this cop had no reasonable grounds to stop folks.

But the mistake in this case made it appear as if he did. Else why say "nobody smoking" (at the moment) instead of "cop lying; no smell of pot". A strong smell of pot WOULD be grounds, yes? Enough for a stop and search for pot? He doesn't need certainty, just "reasonable probability" and there certainly would be that in the case of a person strongly smelling of pot (have they smoked ALL of it or still carrying some?).

MDN

The law

12.07.2010 08:53

If you smell cannabis in a public place is not enough to search a person. In a enclosed building or a car yes but not in the open with other members of the public passing by.

Video from protest...

13.07.2010 00:25

Here is a quick video from the protest:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0VSyzRCqPI

Animal Rights Cambridge
Homepage: http://animalrightscambridge.webs.com

UK Indymedia

Cambridge Uni Day of Action Against Animal Tests!

Comments

Just a FYI

MDN

@ MDN

TOTAL misreading?

The law

@ MDN

That's why I was commenting

The law

Video from protest...

Global IMC Network