(NZ)Loud protest greets world scientists

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front page story and photo in todays Chch press

http://www.stuff.co.nz/inl/index/0,1008,917314a1561,FF.html

MONDAY, 27 AUGUST 2001 Loud protest greets world scientists 27 AUGUST 2001

By LOIS WATSON

A gathering of the world's leading biomedical scientists has opened

in Christchurch amid tight security and round-the-clock protests by

animal-rights activists.

More than 100 protesters beating makeshift drums and waving placards

condemning vivisection greeted foreign delegates as they arrived at

the Christchurch Convention Centre yesterday afternoon for the

opening of the 34th International Congress of Physiological Sciences.

A dozen uniformed police prevented the protesters from entering the

Convention Centre while inside security guards and plain-clothed

police officers kept a close eye on proceedings. Delegates who ran

the gauntlet of protesters were verbally abused as they entered the

building but none were physically threatened and there were no arrests.

Delegates were advised in a security briefing in their registration

packs not to wear their badges or carry their satchels outside the

Congress venue for fear they could be targeted and harassed.

Yesterday's noisy protest was the culmination of nine months planning

by the Coalition Against Vivisection, and was the first of six daily

demonstrations planned during the course of the congress.

Night vigils will also be held outside hotels and motels where

delegates are staying.

Protest organiser Mark Eden said the protests were designed to send a

clear message that vivisectors were not welcome in Christchurch and

the practice of using animals in experiments would no longer be tolerated.

Christchurch woman Maree Gibbons, who attended the protest with her

eight-year-old daughter Madeline, said she was not a member of thecoalition.

However, she felt compelled to take a stand against the congress and

the scientific practices employed by some of its delegates.

" I understand what the scientists are trying to do ... but someone

needs to stand up for the animals because they have no voice, " Ms

Gibbonssaid.

Congress organising committee member and Associate Professor Peter

Thorne said yesterday's protest action had not marred the opening of

the congress and delegates were looking forward to " five days of

exciting science " .

" People are really focused on what is going to be an excellent and

very stimulating meeting, " Professor Thorne said.

The congress is the largest ever held in New Zealand and is being

attended by up to 3000 of the world's leading medical researchers and

scientists. Sessions over the next few days will focus on the practical

significance of ground-breaking new physiological studies for

medicine, pharmaceuticals, animal health, athletics, occupational

health, and the environment.

Mike Kelly, executive director of NCC Ltd, which manages the

Convention Centre on behalf of the Christchurch City Council, said

hosting the congress was the biggest challenge yet for the multi-

million dollar venue.

" They (city council) knew they would have a showcase venue and they

wanted to maximise the local share of $20 million generated by the

attendees and exhibitors, " he said.