"Straw moves to control animal rights activists"

The government is to seek new powers to prevent the
"preposterous" and "terrible" activities of animal rights
extremists who attack scientists working in animal
testing, the Home Secretary, Jack Straw, said yesterday. 

Mr Straw said on BBC Radio 4's Today programme:"We are
looking at whether there are changes in legislation we
can take which are being sought by the police to see
whether we can strengthen action against these animal
rights extremists." 

Robin Webb, spokesman for the Animal Liberation Front,
said the Government had reneged on promises concerning
animal rights issues. "When they came into power they
promised a whole raft of changes on animal rights
issues but nothing has changed." 

Mr Webb said the proposals to strengthen police
powers were unnecessary. "I really don't see how any
further legislation can help. There are already laws in
place such as those relating to criminal damage and
harassment. The sentencing powers are also in place, so
this seems completely over the top."

By Ian Burrell, Home Affairs Correspondent 
31 August 2000

"The "Independent" - English broadsheet

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  "Perceptions" note:-

  Britain as a "western democracy" must have a full set
  of criminal / civil laws forbidding damage / assault /
  murder etc.
  
  So "new legislation" described above by Mr Straw would
  necessarily turn mere membership of animal rights 
  organisations into a criminal offence.

  Since laws already exist forbidding "criminal" actions.

  In fact if such new legislation were implemented, actions of
  over-zealous police and judges - see

  http://www.perceptions.couk.com/laworjustice.html
 
  would soon mean it's a "crime" to support animal rights.

  R J-D

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