While trying to locate Tony Blair in Oxford yesterday, I decided to visit the site of the animal housing centre at the heart of the animal rights protests, on South Parks Road.
The site has looked like this for at least a year. In fact, I have trouble remembering what it looked like before now. The 10-foot wall is relatively new. It used to lower and it didn't have metal backing on the front. On each tree along the other side of the road are stapled copies of the court order regarding protests against the centre, including a map of where protestors are, and are not, allowed to be, and the designated protest spot – which is actually a prime spot.
Despite Speak claiming that Thursday was their day for regular protests clearly none of them felt protesting at 10am was worthwhile. There was nobody there. There were a few workmen though who all wear balaclavas to prevent them from being recognised and targeting. I even saw one worker cycling to work with his balaclava on. They're lucky it's so cold at the moment – the balaclava during the summer would be (will be?) unbearable.
The whole site is locked down pretty tight. I couldn't see any of the counter-surveillance people that Thames Valley Police has put on the job, but then I suppose it's their job to not be seen. Plus, I can't imagine they're there 24 hours a day.
Anyway, I think the snaps give a sense of the level of security at the site. You can see them all – there are only six at present – here.
