Oxford latest - a new anti-antivivisection protest group is in town, wittily named Pro-Test.

SPEAK seems to be immensely threatened by this new development and has launched a scathing personal attack - of no less than 1,015 words! - on Pro-Test’s founder, Laurie (16, male, and wants to be a med student), which is oblivious to the fact that he is entitled to his own opinion – something SPEAK is very hot on claiming for itself.  It seems that the only people that can exercise their democratic right to free speech are those who conform to the SPEAK manifesto.

Now, I was going to comment on SPEAK’s article, pointing out that attacking a minor so ferociously (and on points irrelevant to the subject at hand) could be seen as a bit pathetic and desperate.  Or I could note that Laurie’s webposts that SPEAK has got so worked up over are either surprisingly insightful and grounded for a 16-year-old (one notes that the government/ society’s position on drugs is a little inconsistent when you consider the status of alcohol and nicotine and the damage they do – but crucially, do in a taxable way), or obviously tongue-in-cheek.  I personally found it refreshing to see that an adolescent can comment on their growing pains in a humorous, articulate and gently self-deprecating manner rather than the self-indulgent angst more commonly exhibited, and which I certainly witnessed amongst my own peers.

However, having seen Laurie’s mature response which is short and to the point:

SPEAK has released a statement regarding my personal life. I would like to point out that this is not only clearly libellous but completely irrelevant. I and other members of Pro-Test have as much right to free speech as anyone else, and this attempt to defame my character and intimidate me simply detracts from the issues at hand.
Pro-Test, 2nd Feb 2006

I realise that this is someone who needs no defenders - he is clearly more than capable of holding his own, and will not being drawn into irrelevant slanging matches but will focus on the debate in hand.

Perhaps SPEAK is right to feel as threatened as it so obviously is – not only has it been shown that it does not speak for the majority; but also that the opposing teenage commentary is more articulate, better reasoned, and respectful of others than SPEAK has ever shown itself.

Welcome to the arena Pro-Test, and keep up the good work.