New York, NY, USA - May 15, 2024

A passionate gathering of PETA supporters descended upon an alumni event at The Century Association yesterday, wielding signs with a powerful message: "Drop the Forced Swim Test." Their target? University of Bristol Vice-Chancellor and President Evelyn Welch, who found herself at the center of a heated confrontation over the U.K. school's controversial stance on animal testing.

The forced swim test, a practice denounced by animal rights activists and widely discredited within scientific circles, subjects small animals like rats and mice to the distressing ordeal of near-drowning. In a bid to simulate a state of panic, experimenters immerse the animals in inescapable cylinders of water, forcing them to swim desperately to avoid drowning. The test, conducted under the premise of studying mental health conditions in humans, has faced mounting criticism for its cruelty and lack of scientific validity.

"PETA is calling on the University of Bristol to stop tarnishing its reputation with junk science and invest in modern, human-relevant research methods," declared PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo, condemning the practice as akin to archaic methods used to identify supposed witches.

While numerous leading institutions across the U.K. have distanced themselves from the forced swim test, pledging neither to use nor endorse it, the University of Bristol persists in its use, defying calls for reform. Despite recent pledges by the Home Office to phase out such tests nationwide, Bristol remains steadfast in its refusal to abandon the controversial practice.

As pressure mounts on the University of Bristol to align with ethical standards and embrace alternative research methods, activists vow to continue their campaign until the forced swim test is consigned to the annals of history. With the tide turning against outdated and inhumane practices, the movement for animal rights gains momentum, advocating for a future where compassion and scientific integrity prevail.