Cambridge Evening News
Published on 14 April 2004
HUNDREDS of animal rights protesters are set to cause major disruption in Cambridge on Saturday.
At least 1,000 people are expected to descend on the city for a march and speeches to mark World Day for Lab Animals.
Police are telling drivers to leave their cars at home.
Protest organisers from Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC) have liaised with officers to plan the event, but a senior officer warned disruption was likely.
Chief Superintendent David Harvey said: "It is inevitable that some inconvenience will be caused to pedestrians and road users, but officers will be doing their utmost to minimise any disruption."
He urged people to avoid driving into Cambridge on the day.
"I advise people planning to use the city to leave their cars at home unless absolutely necessary," he said.
"We will have extra police on duty to keep everyone safe, even if there are a larger number of people in the city than normal."
Stagecoach has received details of the event and is considering how the march might affect bus services.
Michael Wiseman, chairman of the Cambridge Retail and Commercial Association (CRACA), said: "Obviously retailers and other businesses in Cambridge find these marches rather trying. The uncertainty that such marches give can cause a fall-off in trade, which is not helpful to general city centre businesses on Saturdays."
The focus of the protest will be aimed at Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS), based in Alconbury.
Heather James, from SHAC, said: "We want to show HLS that we are still here, still fighting, and we will be leafleting the people of Cambridge too because the city is at the heart of vivisection in this country."
SHAC has laid on coaches from more than 30 towns and cities across the country and spokesman Greg Avery said the peaceful march would be well-attended. "We are expecting at least 1,000 protesters from over the UK - from the local area and as far away as Scotland," he said.
They will begin congregating at Parker's Piece from noon and the march is due to start at 2pm. Speakers include US trauma surgeon Dr Jerry Vlasak, an outspoken critic of HLS and a member of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
* The march route is: Parker's Piece, Parkside, Park Terrace, St Andrew's Street, Sidney Street, Bridge Street, St John's Street, Trinity Street, Senate House Hill, King's Parade, Trumpington Street, Pembroke Street, Downing Street, St Andrew's Street, Park Terrace, Parker's Piece.
* Animal rights campaigners were today due to target Cambridgeshire firms which have business links with Huntingdon Life Sciences during a day of protests.