Jury out to decide the fate of the Sequani Six (longest AR trial in history)

We have heard the lies, we have heard the half truths, we have heard hearsay evidence being presented to the jury even though it fell outside the indictable period. We know about the judge being a self confessed hunter. So what justice for the Sequani Six?

We can only hope that the jury through the bullshit and see that these people, our friends, our family, our fellow activists as the caring individuals they are.

With so many conflicting accounts and outright lies by those heavily invested in animal experimentation at Sequani and the government appointed protectors of the vivisection industry we can only assume that it is true that these activists are being fitted up in order to set a new president for activists targeting industry in the UK.

This is a modern day version of first they came for the animal rights activists. How long before your movement is affected by every changing movement specific SOCPA laws protecting those involved with GM / Arms Trade / Climate Change etc?

The simple fact is that the UK government can see people organising against the corporations that are destroying this planet and its inhabitants and they are starting a war against the right to organise and assemble. Divide and conquer would seem to be the tactic, the animal rights movement it’s not really my thing so what do we care?

Imagine SOCPA legislation which takes a minor public order offence and turns it into a five year sentence for swearing with others on an anti arms trade demonstration on the basis that others organised the demo and phoned other people to see if they were attending (conspiring are you?). Just being friends with other activists makes you co-conspirators in New Labours, New Britain.

We still would like answers, like why the press restrictions? Why, when gang land murderers are in other courtrooms in Birmingham Crown Court are the press allowed freedom to report yet when a groundbreaking case which has far reaching implications for ALL of our civil liberties is ongoing there is a media blackout? Why were the jury bussed in each day like they were at serious risk of animal rights terrorists getting to them? But witnesses and jury members for gang related murder cases or terror trials had no special circumstances.

We will let everyone know the second we hear anything, either way please raise a glass for our friends today and a huge thank you to everyone who supported the Six and sent us a messages during the longest animal rights trial in history.

Chris
Stop Sequani Campaign

A Letter of Thanks, to the Supporters of the Sequani Six

As we believe the jury will `go out` soon, probably on Wednesday, this seems to be the perfect opportunity to send our thanks, to all the wonderful, caring people who have responded to the appeal for travel funds for the Sequani defendants. The generosity of the donations, and the good-will and support shown, in the messages, has been over-whelming. The fund has covered the travel expenses for all six people, for the 16 weeks that this trial has lasted, and has been a huge help to all of them. The defendants also wish to thank the little group of friends and supporters, who have attended the court on every possible occasion, and attempted to be of help, when things have been most difficult during the 4 months this disgraceful `trial` has dragged on for!

Sean Kirtley, Pauline Burgess, Jo Goodyear, Rose Golding, Gemma Astbury and Wendy Clark, send all of you, their heartfelt thanks, for the generosity, kindness and support you have shown them, and hope that you will keep them in your thoughts, especially in this coming week, whilst they wait for the verdicts.

Love and respect to you all,

Ann,

Coventry Animal Alliance

Sequani defendants need your help!

A member of Coventry Animal Alliance has written the following appeal, on behalf of the 6 defendants currently on trial(at Birmingham Crown Court) for taking part in peaceful protests outside Sequani, an animal testing lab in Ledbury.

This was originally written primarily for the attention of animal rights groups, but it is of equal relevance to any group or individual who has an interest in justice.

We wondered if your group would be interested in joining with us, in an effort to help fellow activists, on trial for demo`s outside Sequani laboratory. They have been refused any financial help with their considerable travelling expenses, and have been told their only option is to be `remanded in custody`.

As they all live miles away from the Crown Court, and have to travel, daily, by train, this is a real concern for them. We feel, as they are fighting this `test-case` on behalf of all of us in the Animal Rights Movement, that we can best support them, by making a collection amongst the `grass-roots` groups, and dividing whatever is given, between the 6 defendants,so that,at least, their expenses would be one less problem, for them.

We, at Coventry Animal Alliance, have donated £50, and would be most grateful if your group ( or any individuals ) can contribute any amount , large or small. If you wish to send a donation, cheques/postal orders, should be made payable to `West Midlands Animal Action` and sent to -

West Midlands Animal Action,
PO Box 10202,
Redditch,
Worcs B98 8YT

We feel sure that, like us, you will want to support these activists, who are facing up to 5 years imprisonment, if found guilty under the Section 145 SOCPA law ( Interfering with the contractual relationships of a Laboratory ) . A law which will affect the right of all of us, to hold demo`s, however peaceful, in the future !

We have attended this trial several times during this last two weeks, and know `first-hand` that the total ban on all reporting, the buss-ing of the jurors, to and from court, `for their protection ` some witnesses giving their `evidence behind screens, and everyone scanned, entering the building, and again before being allowed into the court-room, ( even our mobile phones were taken, before we were let into the court, the woman collecting them, said that was a `first` ) are part of the shocking `bias`, intended, to give the impression that ARA`s are a danger to witnesses, jurors and the world in general, in an effort to secure convictions, against 5 women and a man, for holding placards!.

Please would you forward this message to any `grass-roots` groups or individuals, who might be interested

With thanks,
Ann. CAA

Sequani 6 February Court Update

The prosecution will be cross examining the Sequani defendants starting next Monday and then finishing up their side of the story which so far seems to have included police saying that the defendants were peaceful and senior management of Sequani and other prosecution witnesses being caught out in blatant lies during questioning by defense barristers.

Apparently one of the defendants had been running in front of worker cars and opening their doors as they left the lab, apparently this wasn’t caught on the handheld video camera used by security OR the multiple CCTV cameras outside Sequani.  The lies even extend to accusations of abuse by the defendants on days they were bailed away from Sequani!?

George Bernard Shaw once said, “Those who wouldn’t hesitate to vivisect, would hardly hesitate to lie about it”

Apparently this includes lying about anything?

More reports next week.

If you wish to show your support to the Sequani Six please visit Birmingham Crown Court court 9 10:30 till 4ish each day!

Thanks

SSC

Police putting restrictions on SOCPA Karaoke…

We are sorry to announce that West Mercia police have put restrictions on our SOCPA Karaoke this Friday (26th Feb) we are not allowed to use any amplifiers or sound systems on penalty of having our equipment confiscated to prevent a possible breach of the peace.

This wont stop us however, we will still be singing at the top of our voices and the demonstration will continue with megaphones and using our screeching awful singing voices.

Please bring banners and noise making equipment / megaphones for the demonstration if you can!

SUPPORT THE SEQUANI SIX! SUPPORT FREEDOM OF SPEECH!

Thanks,

SSC

Sequani February Campaign update + Lock-on activists court update

Protests at the Sequani lab in Ledbury and various suppliers have been continuing with tenacity over the pass few weeks with protests at Arrowmight Biosciences who supply the cold baron cages for Sequani. Protests were also held at Owen Pell, Propath UK and various other Sequani death lab collaborators have been frequent over the past weeks and continue.

Four activists were arrested under Section 5 of the public order act during a lawful protest at Arrowmight and a megaphone was destroyed by police on site after activists refused to stop using the loudhailer to remind the staff about the torture equipment they make inside, even though at no point were they insulting, abusive or threatening.

February saw five activists involved in a lock on (see December national report) in court charged with varying offences including obstructing the highway and breach of Section 12 of the public order act.  All activists have pled not guilty, the case is ongoing and information will be published as and when it is available.

The Stop Sequani Campaign is currently confirming and finalising a list of Sequani suppliers for you to contact and help stop the abuse taking place at Sequani death labs!

New email alerts newsletter!

We have just set up a new riseup email list for people interested in receiving campaign updates via email.

Click here to sign up!

Campaign update 25th

Workers were welcomed in to work as activists turned up at Sequani torture labs at 7am on the dot again. Workers looked pissed off as usual, probably at the prospect of being reminded for another week running of the work they do which kills and maims so many animals. Friendly local cops attended as usual.

Sequani clinical have been receiving noisy megaphone demonstrations and the public were made aware of the human cost of the drug side affects that are not detected by the animal experiments that take place at the other Sequani animal torture site. Not that any of the Sequani research is life saving unless anti dandruff shampoo, anti perspirant deodorant and sanitary products which take away period pain (!?) are life saving?

On departing Sequani employees were subjected to a public shaming on the megaphone, passing motorists were supportive of the demo and pissed off that the police shut the road to allow the workers out quickly so they didn’t have to see the “terrorists”.

We have been at Sequani every weekday except Wednesdays for the past three weeks, get used to it Sequani, we see that you have job openings at Sequani for Security staff, hmmm we know a few people who might be interested who haven’t been out on demonstrations before who might be able to help you out…

Even with the Sequani 6 being dragged through the Crown court using unjust unlawful SOCPA legislation a new campaign is born. It looks like you haven’t stopped lawful protest just yet have you West Mercia, but no doubt paedophiles are being released early so you can fill up the prisons with a few more campaigners for pointing and shouting in 2008!

More information on the Sequani six:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/01/388806.html
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/01/389274.html
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/01/389780.html
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/01/389873.html

More information about NETCU, SOCPA and Animal Rights Police:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/01/389745.html
http://www.netcuwatch.org.uk
http://fitwatch.blogspot.com
http://arcops.wordpress.com

More information on the Sequani protests:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/12/387849.html
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/12/388006.html
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/12/388051.html

SOCPA Karaoke LIVE @ Sequani Labs Friday 29th Feb!

Constant demos at Sequani torture labs and Arrowmight animal abusers as new campaign starts in Herefordshire.

Activists have greeted workers at Sequani almost every day since the 14^th of February activists arrived at 7am in the morning with honks of support sounding even before the animal tormentors arrive.

Police have been very amicable, our protests have been lawful but effective with demonstrations at both Sequani on Bromyard Rd and Sequani Clinical in the town centre, security jobs have appeared in the local press as they would appear to be spread too thinly having to drive from one place to the next.

Arrowmight Biosciences have also received visits from activists on a couple of occasions over the past two weeks with noisy demonstrations attracting unwanted attention from other businesses in the area. I wonder how the feel about the torture prisons you make for HLS, Sequani and Covance the lab cages you build are designed for one thing only, the torment of sentient creatures.

We will be here for as long as it takes Sequani.

Until the last cages are emptied and destroyed.

SSAT