Four arrested at Oxford protest (23/06/06)
An anti-vivisection protest at Oxford’s Sheldonian Theatre erupted into chaos on Wednesday when four demonstrators were arrested.
The peaceful protest got ugly when police charged in and wrestled organiser Mel Broughton to the ground.
Three female demonstrators were also dragged into the back of a waiting police van while remaining protestors vowed to stay on.
"The police are nothing but bullies trying to intimidate us. We've done nothing wrong," said Steve Chamdler.
"This is a democracy and we're allowed to practise free speech. Tourists should know what evil is really going on in this beautiful city."
Thames Valley police arrested the four for breaching the peace after receiving an official complaint.
The animal rights activists were protesting outside the theatre as Oxford University awarded honorary degrees to financial donors.
“Oxford University should feel ashamed and these people should hand back their awards,” said Mr Broughton before his arrest.
Not everyone agrees with the animal rights campaigners though, passer-by Michael Thomas said “These people are terrorists and the police are right to get them off the street.”
The protest is one of many being held in the city as Oxford University presses ahead with the construction of an animal testing laboratory.