New Zealand round-up of events 22 April 1983

Wellington

Near blizzard conditions, cold southerly gales and torrential rain did not deter the 100 or so members and supporters of the NZAVS who carried banners and placards through the city streets to Civic Square on 22 April to bring the attention of the public to the necessity of heeding the tortured cries of imprisoned animals.

On arrival at Civic Square marchers took refuge in the Library Lecture Hall where Graham Martin read cables of support from Loretta Swit, Spike Milligan and Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan and the Scottish Anti-Vivisection Society. In addresses from the platform Graham Martin emphasised that it is not our numbers that matter but our steadfast devotion to the cause. Bette Overell's theme began with the question "what kind of people are we"... to deliberately inflict suffering onto the defenceless when we all understand the misery of sickness and pain?

The meeting ended with a short silent prayer to strengthen the link between all working for the anti-vivisection cause around the world.

Bette Overell followed by Murray Jackson and John Heffernan on lead banner.
(Photograph by kind permission of Dominion.)