SABOTAGING HUNTS: FEBRUARY ROUND UP

[Image credit: @undergroundbadgersyndicate]

The end of the main hunting season is approaching and hunts are getting desperate. Northants Hunt Saboteurs have had a difficult time with the Cottesmore Hunt after continued threats of violence and intimidation by hunt ‘security’, who throw their weight around in front of the police. But the sab group maintained a presence on the hunt. Though they had some setbacks due to the hunts rent-a-mob, this inevitably comes with its own set of problems for the hunt; hiring them costs them money and they attract negative media attention. The Pytchley with Woodland Hunt, who Northants sabs also contend with, has also got themselves into trouble and ended their season early after multiple hounds were killed on the busy A43 whilst out hunting.

Lincolnshire Hunt Saboteurs have also had problems with hunt employees who slashed their tyres during a ‘gruelling day’ with the Burton Hunt, but were able to continue taking action throughout the month.

Despite the best efforts of local sabs, deer were killed by the Stevenstone Hunt in Devon and, two days later, by the Kent Hunt. Farm animals were also victim to hounds, as seen by a post by North Wales Hunt Saboteurs who stated that the Flint and Denbigh hunt killed a Sheep and her an unborn lamb. Sheffield Hunt Saboteurs also reported of a fox being killed in a garden by the Grove and Rufford Hunt. Though upsetting and frustrating, they took solace in knowing they prevented other kills by this hunt and also of the Holme and Colne Valley Beagles, who they packed up earlier in the day. They, like many other groups, have worked tirelessly in a challenging time of the year as wildlife becomes much more vulnerable as the Fox and Hare breeding season takes place.  

Beds and Bucks Hunt Saboteurs announced that the Oakley Hunt will disband at the end of the season, following a 10-year concentrated campaign against them. A decade is a long time but the abundance of wild animals, as well as hounds bred for hunting, that will be spared cruelty and death is undoubtable well worth it. The group state that two major factors in their demise is due to a massive decline in subscribers and a lack of land they are permitted to hunt on – both of which are vulnerable to pressure campaigns. Protesting fundraisers and hunt related social events, shaming landowners and business that host the hunt, as well as direct action in the field are sure ways to make a hunt unviable. With such attention being given to a hunt, it is inevitable that they struggle to maintain staff, as proven by the Oakley Hunt. Now, local and neighbouring saboteurs can move onto their next hunt.

Kent Hunt Saboteurs reported that costs of policing the protest against the Kent Hunts boxing day meet mounted to over £14k, which can add additional pressure on the hunt as members of the public rightly question why public money should be spent on policing an illegal hunt. Suffolk Action for Wildlife received reliable intel that multiple Essex and Suffolk Hunt masters, who often play an integral position financially, are leaving at the end of the season, which makes them vulnerable and an attractive target for a pressure campaign.

The Fox Inn, a pub, hotel and wedding venue in Stourton, were forced to no longer host the Albrighton and Woodland Hunt end of season ‘supper’ after Staffordshire Hunt Saboteurs named-and-shamed them online. Members of the public, including locals and potential visitors from afar, were given the opportunity to contact the business and voice their concerns which ultimately worked. Events like these are not only important to raise money for the hunt, but also double up as a networking and social event, and is a big problem for a hunt if cancelled. Businesses heavily rely on reputation so negative publicity can produce quick results when they are seen to be supporting wildlife killers.   

Underground Badger Syndicate have reawakened after taking some time to rest after the intensive badger cull but soon got back to work by removing 20 mole traps from a posh private estate. Traps and other means of wildlife killing are used all year round but springtime is particularly nasty, so they’ve set up a new donation page to help them pay for fuel so they can keep active. Others who have also been busy, including Hertfordshire Hunt Saboteurs dealing with fen traps and The Great Unwashed dealing with a shooting hide.

Devon County Hunt Saboteurs reminded the online world that, as of the 1st February, the supplementary badger cull has stopped and won’t continue until June. However, they make the point clear that people should remain vigilant as persecution of the supposedly legally protected wild animal will continue regardless. Checking up on setts is a casual way of doing this and is also vital intel that can be used in the future, as pointed out by Northamptonshire Badger Group who have been regularly surveying throughout the month. They, as well as hunt sabotage groups, can provide training and workshops on sett checking and general surveying which is not only a great way to learn about the fascinating and beautiful existence of wildlife, but also the skillset on how to protect them.

NO LIFE LIKE THE WILD

DISRUPTION AT THE ANIMAL RIGHTS FORUM IN MELBOURNE DUE TO ZIONIST SPEAKERS.

[Editor’s note: Anarcho Anti-Speciesists for Palestine sent a write up and video about their disruption in the Animal Rights Forum in Melbourne due to the welcoming of zionists as speakers. Read it below:]

“THIS IS FOR REEM – THEY ARE ALL REEM

Saturday 24 February 2024

We are autonomous anarcho anti-speciesist actionists who disrupted the platforming of a zionist speaker at the Animal Rights Forum in Naarm (so called Melbourne).  We opened the action stating “This is for Reem, they are all Reem” followed by “This is how Palestinians are notified that they are being targeted by the IOF”  whilst throwing pieces of paper in the air titled with these words and also quotes from the Zionist speaker, Maya Cohen-Ronen (M.C. Ronen). We then commenced our speakout. We will let the video speak for itself from there.

We refuse to have veganism co-opted by spaces that platform genocide supporters with blood on their hands. Nor will we cower to misogynistic violence and bootlickers. 

Boycott and disrupt all spaces where zionists are platformed!  Total Liberation Now! Long live the Palestinian Resistance!

This is our statement: 

We acknowledge that our resistance is being undertaken on the stolen lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. Sovereignty was never ceded and we acknowledge the ongoing effects and suffering of colonisation on this land and those who have been fighting against and resisting the oppression for over 250 years. We also acknowledge the Elders past and present who continue to guide and teach. Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land.

We are here today to oppose this zionist named M.C. Ronen (aka Maya) being platformed at this forum in full knowledge that she is a genocide supporter with blood on her hands. 

We are here today because we oppose the genocide of the Indigenous people of Palestine and some of us have had our community killed and injured in the bombing of the oldest Greek Orthodox church in Palestine by the Israeli Occupation Forces. 

Over 29,000 Palestinian civilians have been killed since October, including over 14,000 children – more than 260 babies didn’t get to celebrate their first birthday. Over 70,000 Palestinians are injured to date. THIS IS GENOCIDE. 

The fascist settler-colonial state of israel has ensured that there is nowhere safe for the Palestinian people – the “safe” corridors are corridors of execution. Rafah with over 1.5 million people cornered is now a target. 

Decolonisation is and should be the cornerstone of the Human Liberation movement. This means cultural, psychological and economic freedom for Indigenous Communities to have the right and ability to practice self determination over their land, cultures, political and economic systems.  The colonisation of Palestine has caused the occupation and dispossession of land, military rule over social, political and economic systems which exploit the Palestinian people and their resources.

Animal Rights Forum – have you not noticed the countless numbers of other animals that have been killed by the zionists, either at point blank or through the endless bombings in Palestine? Thousands are traumatized, lying injured or deceased, under the ruins and rubble. The donkeys, the cats, the dogs, the sheep that have been killed by IOF snipers as ‘target practice’. 

Animal Rights Forum – the weapons which are “field” tested on and used to kill the Palestinian people are FIRST tested on and used to kill other animals. The connect is here! 

And yet, HERE WE ARE TODAY. 

In front of a zionist being platformed at an animal rights forum ready to deliver a speech about animal and human rights – but just not those of all Palestinians and most certainly not those she labels with the speciesist slur “vermin”.

She talks of human rights as though she is the defender of those rights.

She talks of human rights as though she is not the violator of those rights.

She talks of human rights as though she is not part of a political ideology responsible for perpetrating the genocide of the Palestinian people. 

She talks of human rights as though the zionist state has not been ethnically cleansing Palestine for over 75 years in the world’s largest open air prison – by land, air and sea.

We reject the vegan washing of the zionist state. No amount of vegan boots in so-called vegan armies will ever inform our position. The oppression of other animals cannot be used to mask the subjugation of the Palestinians over decades. 

Zionists have turned Palestine into an open air slaughterhouse – and here you have your token zionist platformed today. 

We stand with anti-zionist Jews who are on the frontlines of solidarity actions with Palestine. Judaism is not Zionism. It is not anti-semitic to oppose zionism and this genocide.

The Palestinian resistance has deep seeded roots in every corner of the world, including at this forum.

Blood on your hands Animal Rights Forum!

Shame on anyone speaking at this forum in full knowledge that a zionist is being platformed! Get that Keffiyeh off your neck! 

And shame on the Animal Rights Forum for also platforming transphobes this weekend! 

Long live the Palestinian Resistance!

(end)

Whilst we would have liked to to keep this write up strictly about the genocide in Palestine and our solidarity action, we will touch on a few other going ons (briefly as we don’t want this to detract from why we took action):

We were physically and verbally attacked by organisers at the forum, especially the lead organiser who launched at the activists pulling speeches and flags from their hands, pulled at a keffiyeh wrapped around of one of our queer comrades necks which started to choke them, pushing and shoving us as mock security. We will always push back against misogynistic violence in any space. This ugly display of unprovoked violence towards women and non-binary folk was a microcosm of the very violence the people in the room proclaim to oppose towards other animals but then without hesitation replicate this violence for all to witness.  You have all become the very thing you claim to be fighting against. In that moment you could have listened – a mirror was being held up to a room full of hypocrisy because it is necessary and long overdue. You’re also a bunch of bootlickers for calling cops on other activists. 

We thank our comrades at Melbourne Hunt Saboteurs for stepping up and having our backs in a room full of bystanders showing them all what being an accomplice to the Palestinian resistance looks like whilst others stood back and told us “we aren’t discussing that (genocide) here” and “you’re disgusting”. MHS also pulled out from the forum without hesitation in an act of unwavering solidarity with Palestine and our action. Head over to the hunt sabs facebook page to read their statement and show them some solidarity.  Link here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/dMTHyz6KWEPNT6p5/?mibextid=oFDknk

To the orgs and individuals who have an endless list of pathetic reasons why they couldn’t walk away from this forum in full knowledge (prior to the forum commencing) that a zionist was being platformed – f*ck you. We repeat, f*ck you. For all the times you have looked away – for ignoring the fascists, the misogynists, the transphobes, the conspiracy theorists, the anti-vaxxers, the zionists in animal rights spaces. It is counter revolutionary! And again, you looked away even though you were presented with an opportunity to do better this time. If only you had an ounce of the integrity our sab comrades have. Keep waving the flag of faux solidarity with Palestine whilst some of you are even on the record as financial sponsors of this forum. Your rich whyt girl tears don’t affect us and nor does sliding into our DMs to attempt to school us. You do not get to drive the narrative here. Your solidarity with Palestine in the time of genocide shouldn’t be difficult – it should be easy. Solidarity isn’t selfies months ago at a Palestinian rally you attended, it is every day and in every space. There is nowhere to hide now, you had the opportunity to walk – the rest is on you.

To the neo-liberal poster children for whyt and single issue veganism in the room – especially the vegan saviour yelling “are you vegan?” and “animal rights now” at us, role playing security trying to push us out of the zio space whilst pointing to his Palestinian wristband – yes, we are f*cking vegan and also yes, you’re a walking hypocrite. #WristbandsForLiberation

And lastly to the coppers outside the Melbourne Town Hall – we saw your hands on the OC spray simply because you were called to an action by Palestinian actionists. Upholding settler colonial violence everywhere you go. 

Abolish the Police! F*ck The Police! ACAB!

After the outside action was concluded, one of our Palestinian comrades walked across the road to rescue a gull (“seagull”) that had just been hit by an ambulance. He held the gull with such tenderness and love, caressing their head and kissing them gently and then handed this individual over to us. We wrapped their dying, almost lifeless, body in our keffiyeh. It was in that keffiyeh that they died. In that moment it became clear to us that the love and compassion shown by the Palestinian people for this animal was in such stark contrast to the racism and hatred shown by the “animal rights” forum and associated folk towards Palestine only a few hours earlier. 

No one is free until all are free. 

End the occupation! 

All eyes on Rafah!

THIS IS FOR REEM – THEY ARE ALL REEM.

– Anarcho Anti-Speciesists for Palestine – Naarm”

THE ROJAVA REVOLUTION IN FIRST PERSON

Received anonymously:

“For years I had heard all these stories about Rojava – great stories of resistance, heartbreaking stories of comrades falling Sehid (martyr), being remembered through tears, laughter and action, and of difficulties. It had always caught my attention; this place, so far away from our reality. A place where I don’t need to fear the police raiding my house, but instead fear the bombs and drones Turkey sends over. The hope that shines in people’s eyes when they talk about Rojava and the fact that many of my beliefs are being put into practice there, was also something that had always caught my attention.

Now, I am here, living many of the things I had only heard about previously. In just the short time I have been here, Turkey has assassinated several comrades, including two YPJ commanders who were part of the famous resistance against ISIS in Kobane. They were wounded there and had been living in a house for comrades wounded in war. Yet, there is silence from the so-called democratic western states admit such clear war crimes. Only days later, I went to a march demanding the freedom for Abdullah Öcalan; we were thousands marching together through the city. And most beautifully, the same wounded friends who survived the attacks only days before were leading the march, showing the spirit of “no pasaran! Em nacim! You will not get through and we will not leave!”.

The revolutionary spirit cannot be denied here, whether it is in the streets talking to people, visiting families who have been part of the Kurdish movement for decades or spending time together with the small team of internationalists who have traveled a long way to get to know the Rojava Revolution.

So, I will try to write a small regular update on Rojava, the developments here, and how I connect it to the broader anarchist and liberationist political movement that we are all part of.”

MOUNTAIN VALLEY PIPELINE ACTIVISTS VISIT CJ HUGHES EQUIPMENT RENTALS IN HUNTINGTON, WV.

(Compiled from local and National Media Scources)

Huntington, WV, January 2024

In January, a group of pipeline protestors showed up at CJ Hughes Equipment
Rentals complex, located in Huntington WV

Activists disrupted the workday for their largest office administration
building with spray foam, glitter, barbecue sauce and more. The protestors
made their message clear, “Anyone partnering with MVP is a target, and
will not be allowed to continue with business as usual.

CJ Hughes is a WV based equipment rental company that specializes in
pipeline projects, including the Mountain Valley Pipeline. They also provide
services like directional drilling and hydrostatic testing for fracked gas
pipelines across the region.

#NoMVP #StopMVP #NoPipelines

SABOTAGING HUNTS: JANUARY ROUND UP

[Image credit: @severnvalesabs]

The main hunting season has passed the half-way point and many are starting to feel it drag on. But groups remain active. Some have even visited two hunts in one day, as seen by Glasgow Hunt Sabs and, separately, Staffordshire Hunt Sabs. Though there was plenty of success with disrupting the efforts to kill wildlife, some sabotage groups were on the receiving end of violence. Northants Hunt Sabs were attacked two weeks in a row and then had their windscreen smashed the following week, all during meets of the Cottesmore Hunt. In a statement, they claimed this was a result of continued pressure put on the hunt that they described as ‘wounded’. Behaviour such as this is a sure sign of desperation and has been carried out in a similar way by many hunts that have folded in the past. They later stated; ‘no matter what they throw at us they should always expect us’.

South Coast Hunt Sabs were also assaulted and had a vehicle smashed on New Year’s by the South Down & Eridge with East Sussex & Romney Marsh, who recently amalgamated. Historically, both of these hunts have a reputation for violence and is likely to continue. Be this as it may, the development is big news. They are also advertising for a new huntsman, which suggests things aren’t going well. Last year saw an amalgamation in Kent, resulting in the large county only have one fox hunt left. With both of these developments in mind, this means that hunt sabotage groups in the South East of England now have fewer to contend with, giving them the opportunity to concentrate efforts and shut down those left remaining for good.

It was reported that, despite the best efforts of Plymouth and West Devon Hunt Sabs, The Lamerton Hunt killed a fox whilst hunting Dartmoor National Park. The actions of the hunt just a week earlier resulted in the death of two hounds who were run over on a public road. Like wildlife, hounds are treated as a commodity with little to no regard for their safety or wellbeing. As hunts continue to breed thousands of hounds a year, they subsequently create more life that is subject to suffering. An end to hunting not only means less suffering for wildlife, but also an end to an animal industry.

In December, North Dorset Hunt Sabs used a drone to capture video footage of the Blackmore & Sparkford Vale hunting and killing a fox, which was later broadcast on national TV on Channel 4 News in January. This evidence, aided by receiving mainstream coverage, has forced the governing body of fox hunting to suspend the hunt. Though this response by the governing body is purely to save face, the hunt is unable to continue for the foreseeable future which is undoubtably good for local wildlife but also means that the hunt will take a financial hit from the lack of income generated by mounted hunt supporters who pay to participate. This is one example of how utilising opportunities to show the realities of hunting through mainstream media has played an important part in sustaining public outrage and maintaining pressure against individual hunts as well as hunting in general.

Drones has become more of a regular piece equipment in the sabotaging toolkit, as seen by Cumbria and Lancashire Hunt Sabs who focus their efforts on fell packs; non-mounted fox hunts. With having to operate in challenging vast rugged terrain, drones help to locate and gather evidence of hunts who are increasingly having to rely on trespassing to hunt. It was reported that this includes land owned by the National Trust, Forestry England, Lake District National Park Authority, United Utilities, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Woodland Trust, and Butterfly Conservation, as well as areas that have status of being a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The sabotage group also state that a growing network of landowners has formed to tackle hunt trespass on their land, adding pressure from the local community against a form of hunting that is already depleting in support. Pressure from local and large landowners could be enough to cause for dwindling hunts to disband. Sabotage helps to make that happen sooner.

The intensive badger cull may have finished months ago but supplementary culling has continued. Though shooting free roaming badgers at night continued until February, regulations stipulate that cage-trapping should cease on the 1st December. Be that as it may, some involved in culling leave their killing mechanisms laying around. Severn Vale Hunt Sabs came across some and made sure they can no longer trap again, and reaffirms the importance of checking up on badger setts, especially that have previously been targeted. Northamptonshire Badger Group, for example, have been busy checking setts and used this to train others, which emboldens locals to take action where necessary and doubles up as a wholesome activity in appreciating the activity of wildlife.

NO LIFE LIKE THE WILD

BANHADO RESISTE, A FAVELA STRIVING FOR AN ANARCHIST FUTURE.

submission via email:

Dear friends and comrades from the whole world: we’re addressing you this email to show what we are suffering and to show you our struggle.

Down here, in the third world, Latin America, Brasil, things are getting tougher everyday. To live here is to live exploited by the rest of your life receiving a minimum wage, and this talking about those who are privileged enough to receive a minimum wage – but there are those who don’t have nothing.

In the favelas for example, very common in Brazil, we fight everyday for the past 100 years against the State, the Police and the Capital.

In this context, the Favela do Banhado, located in the city of São José dos Campos, Brazil, is leading a “green revolution” against the gentrification and the speculators, against the Prefecture and the Judiciary, and against the Police and the Media.

Through a hard, class counsciousness, grassroots envoronmentalist struggle, Banhado is showing to the world it’s beauty and it’s fight. And this fight, is just like David against Goliath.

We are waging a campaign at FireFund.net to raise 15.000 euros to completely transform our community. It’s sad but it’s true: if the State don’t stand for the people, we can only do things with money.

With your support and the help of other “privileged” countries, we can make huge and even miracle things happen down here, at the third world.

Help us transform the Favela do Banhado into a turistic, left-wing, ecological, spot in São José dos Campos.

For more information: www.firefund.net/banhadoresiste

You can also get in touch with us on Instagram: @banhadoresiste

SABOTAGING HUNTS: DECEMBER ROUND UP

Image credit: @caldervalleyhuntsaboteurs

The month began with a sharp frost that resulted in a number of hunts deciding it was too cold to go out. Some remained committed to killing wildlife however but were successfully prevented, as seen by Sheffield Hunt Saboteurs who forced the Broomhead Beagles to give up on their plans to hunt mountain Hare. Foot packs have previously been advised by their governing body that they should pack up if confronted by saboteurs and is testament to their lack of confidence in their ability to protect themselves legally and their diminishing public image. In this case, wildlife protection can come as a result of simply turning up. The group’s efforts were dedicated to a colleague from Staffordshire who had sadly lost their life recently. Severn Vale Hunt Sabs also continue to utilise Hare hunting’s vulnerability, as seen in a recent report which saw them shutting down both the Royal Agricultural College Beagles and Dummer Beagles in the same day.

Unfortunately, not all efforts in hunt sabotage can be successful due to a variation of factors that can work heavily against the hunted animal. North Dorset Hunt Sabs reported that at least one fox was killed during a meet of the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt. In addition to this, despite the best efforts of Beds and Bucks Hunt Sabs and Peterborough Hunt Sabs, who successfully prevented multiple foxes being killed by the Fitzwilliam Hunt, hounds rioted and killed a Muntjac Deer. These outcomes can be hard on those who take action against hunting, but the fact remains that many more wild animals would suffer if not for their continued efforts. Evidence of this can be seen in an abundance of reports published by sabotage groups across the UK and Ireland.

The festive period includes some of biggest calendar dates for hunting and comes with increased violence and hostility to saboteurs and members of the public who oppose bloodsports. Tensions are much higher and are often fuelled by excess alcohol consumption and backed by higher numbers of hunt supporters who are in attendance. On the 23rd December, the windows of Sheffield Hunt Saboteurs vehicle were smashed in a premeditated attack. Devon County Hunt Saboteurs also had a window smashed during a meet of the Eggesford Hunt, while Northants Hunt Sabs had their tyres slashed at a Cottesmore Hunt meet. Suffolk Action for Wildlife also reported that the Essex and Suffolk Hunt killed a fox.

Boxing Day is arguably the busiest day in hunting. Traditionally, hunts will celebrate by parading hounds to members of the public in a town or village and is followed by hunting. Historically this attracts large amounts of supporters and acts as a way of raising money. Since hunting was banned under the Hunting Act 2004, the celebration is also utilised as a way of cleaning up the image of hunting, with some spectators unaware that the hunting of wildlife does in fact continue.  Opposition to hunting has had, and continues to have, a presence however, with protests being held during the parades and saboteurs on hand to disrupt hunting activity.

The vast majority of sabotage groups, if not all, were active on Boxing Day with too many to mention in this report. However, despite the challenges, efforts against were largely successful with many hunts unable to kill wildlife. Some were even reduced to stick to trail hunting; a sight unthinkable in the past and testament to their changing landscape. It is, however, important to not get ahead of ourselves and remember the challenges that remain against wildlife defence. Violence against saboteurs continued, including against the Wight Saboteurs who suffered an extremely serious eye injury during the meet of the Isle of the Foxhounds. Brighton Hunt Saboteurs also reported that protesters were arrested following violence they had received by supporters of the South Down and Eridge Hunt. Unfortunately, Glasgow Hunt Sabs also reported that a fox was killed after being shot by The Jedforest Hunt who were hunting on the Scottish borders.

Other tactics are utilised in the run-up to Boxing Day meets. For traffic and crowd control reasons, hunts usually apply in advance to the local authorities and/or councils to secure permission for a parade and other such logistics such as road closures. Campaigns to ban these parades, therefore, becomes a logical step in the demise a hunt due to how this will affect their public image and fundraising efforts. An example of this can be seen by Action Against Foxhunting who, in advance of the Southdowns and Eridge Hunts attempts to apply for permission to parade hounds through Lewes, applied for a charity wheelbarrow race in support of Lewes Food Bank. The application was successful and proved how there could be a fun alternative which would also be beneficial for the local community.  However, due to increasing threats of violence from hunt supporters as well as the hunts defiant intention to parade regardless, which organisers feared would result in premediated confrontation from hunt supporters, the charity event was cancelled. In a statement, Action Against Foxhunting made it clear this decision came at prioritising safety of the general public and the participants of the event. In effect, the Southdowns and Eridge Hunt sabotaged a food bank and should serve as a reminder that hunting not only has contempt for wildlife but also for human life as well.

Though some may see the hunt as victorious, it is important to recognise how important this event is to a hunt and, therefore, the need to continue pressure against it. Campaigns to permanently ban hunts from parading takes time, requires patience and continued pressure from the community; something that is clearly gaining momentum in Lewes. Historically, these campaigns have been won and will no doubt be achieved again. Some may question the impact of small victories but it is important to recognise that hunts operate by maintaining a support structure. Each victory is an attack on that structure and, with fewer structural elements to rely on, a hunt will inevitably collapse.

The festive period is seen as a middle point for the fox and hare hunting season. As the vast majority of sabotage groups have remained consistently active for months (not including cub and leveret hunting), it is understandable that some are feeling tired. Messages of support, donations and purchases of merchandise go a long way in showing appreciation for what they do. Tip-offs are also vital and can directly result in wildlife protection.

NO LIFE LIKE THE WILD

MOUNTAIN VALLEY PIPELINE ACTIVISTS FOLLOWED AND HARRASSED.

(Reports from local media)

As Mountain Valley Pipeline and its benefactors become more desperate to complete this pipeline, protestors have seen increased violence from workers, malicious prosecution in the courts, and a complicit police force willing to carry out the dirty work of the state. Despite these unprecedented levels of repression against pipeline protesters in this region, people are still finding ways to disrupt work where possible. Today, folks decided to take back their own roads.

Across three locations at least 30 pipeline workers were slowed, stuck behind protesters in cars and on bikes. These actions not only slowed down work but also put the brakes on workers who have been known to drive recklessly. There have been reports of a high frequency of of DUIs among pipeline workers, as well as complaints from those who live along the routes they use to get to work. As long as MVP construction on this pipeline persists, people will continue acting to ensure MVP will not be allowed to damage the environment and endanger local communities.

Join the fight against the MVP: bit.ly/aapintakeform

PROTEST OUTSIDE OF MAX MARA IN ATHENS.

We’ve received a reportback from a protest agains Max Mara in Athens.

“Protest outside the MaxMara store #FurFreeFriday

On Saturday, November 25, members of the Open Antispeciesist Assembly in Athens, Greece, held a protest against the fur industry outside the MaxMara store in Kolonaki.

“We chose this specific store, to support a global campaign that has cbeen ongoing since the summer against major fur companies that continue to sell fur from tortured animals. For almost an hour, we managed to blockc the entrance of the store with banners and disrupt the smooth flow of goods and customers on a Saturday morning. In this context, flyers were distributed to passersby and slogans were chanted.

NO ANIMAL IS A COMMODITY – NO MORE BLOOD FOR THEIR PROFITS

BOYCOTT EVERY COMPANY THAT TORTURES AND MURDERS ANIMALS FOR PROFITS

TOTAL STRUGGLE AGAINST THE STATE AND EVERY FORM OF AUTHORITY”

SABOTAGING HUNTS: NOVEMBER ROUND UP – THE FRONTLINES

[Image credit: @glasgowhuntsabs]

The main hunting season in the UK & Ireland is in full swing. Equally, so are the efforts to prevent packs of hounds from killing fox, hare and deer. With the demise of hunting in Scotland, hunt saboteurs from Glasgow, Edinburgh and beyond have taken their efforts across the border to support those in the north of England, including against the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Foxhounds and the North Cumberland Hunt. Though using packs of hounds to hunt has effectively been criminalised in Scotland, activity of the remaining hunts continues to be monitored.

In England and Wales, where hunting is technically legally restricted, hunts continue to operate how they please. Despite the best efforts of Devon County Hunt Sabs, a fox was killed by the Eggesford Hunt during their opening meet. In a statement, they confirm that though they continue to share evidence with the police, they know they are not interested and that is why saboteurs continue to take direct action themselves.

A deer was also attacked by hounds of the Puckeridge and Essex Hunt whilst attempting to hunt a fox. Hunting the wrong animal, known as ‘rioting’, is simply seen as collateral damage to those involved in or in support of hunting, with deer and domestic pets being the most common victims. Hunt saboteurs from groups East Herts and East Northants, as well as Herts Wildlife Monitors, were able to intervene and prevent a kill.

Some hunts however, intend to hunt deer. Failing to successfully hunt and kill a hind, hunt staff from the Quantock Staghounds attacked saboteurs from North Dorset and Mendip after they had called off the hounds. Multiple saboteurs sustained injuries, including to the head, with one having to be taken to hospital. The camera containing evidence was also smashed. Violence was also seen at a meet of the South Shropshire Hunt, where a terrierman used their quad bike to run down an opponent, whilst they hunted on land they had no permission to be on. It is reported they suffered a broken leg.

Rumours are circulating that the Suffolk Hunt may turn to drag hunting; a form of hunting where hounds follow a genuine artificial scent. This is not to be confused with trial hunting, which was created in response to the Hunting Act 2004 and is used as a guise of illegal hunting. In recent years, this hunt has been consistently sabotaged by multiple groups including North London and Suffolk & Essex. The pressure has caught up with them and resulted in the huntsman and other staff walking away. Failing to replace these fundamental roles has meant they have had to split their hounds into neighbouring packs. The Suffolk Hunt are hanging on by a thread. Direct action has been a major part of this achievement and shows that, regardless of their reputation, any hunt is capable of collapse.

A number of hunts have traditioned to drag hunting since the ban which reaffirms that they can do it, it’s simply a choice. Though there are legitimate concerns of continuing to breed hounds and horses for this purpose, at least drag hunting operates without the need to kill wildlife, trespass and cause danger to road users. Hunts who refuse to transition, or simply disband, will continue to feel the pressure from hunt saboteurs and the wider community.

An abundance of hit reports were published by sabotage groups throughout the month, with too many to mention here. For updates and other developments, find your local group online and follow them on social media platforms. Support can also be given, and tactics can be replicated, abroad. Skill sharing can begin simply by networking online.   

November has also seen a mixture of results within the legal world. Chris Mardles, former member of the Pytchley with Woodland Hunt, was found guilty of using his horse to ride down a saboteur from Northants, causing multiple broken bones, a punctured lung and required airlifting to hospital. The prosecution took 3 years but resulted in an 18-month prison sentence.

In complete contrast, a member of the Cottesmore Hunt who intentionally trampled a saboteur and later arrested for ‘attempted GBH’, was found not guilty. Hertfordshire Hunt Sabs stated that this was because of the influence of positive character references from his mother-in-law as well as Lady Sarah McCorquodale, the sister of Princess Diana. Ultimately

NO LIFE LIKE THE WILD