Gemma Collins is calling on MPs to vote against a law change which would make it illegal to even plan a protest at any animal testing facility.
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As the Canary previously reported, the Government can restrict protests around “Key National Infrastructure” under the Public Order Act 2023. This includes roads, railways, oil, and gas facilities. Essentially, if the protest will “significantly disrupt” any service that keeps the country running, then it is illegal.
Of course, Labour is forgetting its roots – because the point of protest is to disrupt.
Today could be the most important day to keep our right to have a voice!
The UK Government has now scheduled the push-through of the amendment to the Public Order Act 2023 to include facilities linked to animal testing
This means that it could soon be a crime, with up to 12… pic.twitter.com/N8ZFLzJIb2
— dominic dyer (@domdyer70) January 9, 2026
Now, the Government is attempting to reclassify “life sciences infrastructure” as Key National Infrastructure. Meaning, animal testing sites, breeding facilities and even universities. This means that protests at these sites would be illegal.
Campaigners are warning that this could have far-reaching effects. Shockingly, it could lead to the criminalisation of students protesting poor accommodation conditions.
The proposal is due to be voted on in parliament on Wednesday, 14 January 2026.
According to Protect the Wild:
The change comes in the form of a Statutory Instrument that would amend the Public Order Act 2023 to redefine animal testing facilities as “national infrastructure”. In practical terms, this would place private laboratories in the same legal category as airports, power stations, and major transport routes, enabling sweeping injunctions and protest restrictions to be deployed against people exercising their right to peaceful protest.
This is not a minor technical tweak. It is a fundamental shift in how protest is treated under the law.
Importantly, this comes as the Government is attempting to crack down on peaceful protests more widely.
UK trying to stop peaceful protesting – the voiceless need a voice- share with all in UK. https://t.co/pvVHu5XfPJ
— Maverick Mama (@integrityfuture) January 9, 2026
@BasilTheGreat can you please also highlight the stealth move to further impose restrictions on Public right to protest.
TOMORROW Labour are pushing ahead with amendments to the Public Order Act 2003
Classifying a number of sites (including all animal testing) as K.N.I.
— Tea, Milk, No Sugar (@TeaMilkNosugar1) January 13, 2026
The change would mean protesters could face a 12-month prison sentence and an unlimited fine for simply posting online against the use of products that involve animal testing.
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In a statement on its website, Protect the Wild said:
This move appears designed to shield controversial private industries from public scrutiny at the very moment the Government claims it wants greater transparency and a future phase-out of animal testing. If passed without challenge, it would set a worrying precedent by using secondary legislation to quietly erode democratic rights and silence lawful protest. MPs must oppose this change and defend the public’s right to speak out.
Gemma Collins is now encouraging MPs to attend parliament on Wednesday to vote no.
She has also provided a simple link that allows people to quickly email their MP, asking them to vote against the bill.
Featured image via London News Exposed/ YouTube
By HG
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