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

ACTIVIST FACING PRISON AFTER UNCOVERING A ZOOPHILIA CASE.

Animal rights activists indicted in Sweden, accused of separately spreading a video clip in which a farmer openly talks about having sex with non human animals.

The indictment is about something that happened in 2018 and two activists are accused of allegedly spreading the film clip. At the time, the farmer was a high-ranking person in the Swedish agricultural lobby. The lawsuit came in 2023.

The activists are accused, among other things, of spreading the film clip on social media. The prosecutor argues that the film clip has harmed the farmer, and therefore the activists should be held guilty of gross defamation (a crime which in Sweden, among other things, can lead to up to two years in prison). Having sex with non human animals is also a crime in Sweden (called “tidelag”), which can lead to up to two years in prison. The farmer is currently not charged with tidelag. 

The farmer says that the film clip is a montage, a fake, that there is another person in the recording. Today, the farmer no longer has any higher responsibilities within the animal industry. 

Ever since the lawsuit, the Swedish judiciary has tried to hold a trial. Which, for various reasons, they have not been able to do (until recently). One of the activists has previously not been served with a summon to the hearing. The district court and the police have tried to reach the activist, and in May 2023 an obstruction certificate was drawn up. On March 5 2024 the trial against the animal rights activists was held. The verdict will be announced March 19th. The prosecutor demands, among other things, that one of the activists should get six months in prison, and pay SEK 100,000 in damages.

SOME ANARCHISTS SHUT OFF THE POWER AT A BUTCHER SHOP TO SPOIL ANYTHING IN THE FRIDGES.

8th March, Portland OR USA.

Received anonymously via email:

“Last night we cut off the tiny padlock to the breaker box of a butcher shop “pasture pdx” and shut off their power to make the flesh they butchered unsellable. we also sealed the lock on the door with spray foam insulation. We also shut power to two adjacent stores because it was fun. These things are easily reproduceable and we encourage anarchists to think outside of the box. you can do other things then smash windows.

we dedicate this act to Jack, the Susaron 4 comrades in chile, and all antispeciesists who have been put in cages. for total freedom!

-some anarchists”

A SHORT INTERVIEW WITH LADISLAV KUC.

Lado was released from prison a couple of months ago after a twelve year sentence for the setting of explosive devices at a McDonald’s. He has been trying to adapt to life outside as well as catching up with doctor appointments that prison completely neglected during his incarceration. He has quite a few health issues and is finding life outside quite complicated, specially navigating different doctors and hurdles with hospitals. He is also concerned about the huge social debt he still has to pay and is trying to fundraise for it.

Thanks to PhillyABC there is a fundraising site where anyone can send a few coins to support Lado, so if you can, please donate (cos he needs to raise 10k EUR) and if you are unable, please share far and wide, talk about it with mates and try and find other methods of support!

To other prisoner support groups, news collectives and anti-repression teams: please consider helping with this fundraiser. A fundraising gig, a merch run, whatever works best for you all, let’s get Lado to the other side of his social debt so that he can focus on his mental and physical health and so he knows the world has not forgotten about him.

https://fundrazr.com/027Cec

  • First of all, tell us about yourself!

My name is Ladislav Kuc. Our village is located 6 km from the second largest town in Slovakia, which is called Kosice. I spent 12 years in prison.

  • How was life in prison?

The guards called me a fucking terrorist. A fucking son of a bitch. The guards beat me. The prisoners made my life hell because when they beat me the guards allowed them to hurt me. I suffered a lot in prison I hate the bastards for whom I suffered so much.

The deputy director had me called when I entered the prison and told me that because I was a terrorist he was going to make my life hell. I have to admit that the bastard fulfilled what he promised me. I had to wash the toilets 3 times a day. The prisoners defecated on the floor on purpose and they rubbed the walls with shit and I had to clean it.

  • That sounds horrible, did you at least feel supported by people outside?

In prison, people started writing to me in English. I didn’t know English, so I asked my mother for textbooks and started learning English. I taught myself English. That’s why I can write and read in English quite well, but I can’t speak English. People wanted to send me money, but the prison warden told me that if I get supporters to send me money, they will transfer me to a section where people will rape me. The prison warden really abused his powers.

  • What was your first thought when you came out of prison?

When I got out my first thought was to eat well. In prison the food was good but portions were small. My mother brought me about a dozen cakes which I ate on the way home.

  • Do you want to talk about your charge? Amongst other charges, you were accused of setting an explosive device at an empty McDonalds which caused no injuries.

I’m a sensitive person who sympathizes with animals, that’s why McDonald’s. I don’t like it when the weak and defenseless are hurt. Animals can’t protect themselves. It’s right to protect animals from abuse.

I noticed that one direct action has 100 times more effect than, for example, a public protest.

  • How can people support you now that you are out?

I have a big debt after prison, some to lawyers and some to fines. The full amount is 9792 EUR. I have been looking for job but after prison it is difficult to find a job. I need donations to help.

  • Is there anything else you’d like to tell those reading?

thanks to every good person for every single dollar

———

Please consider donating to Ladislav, sharing the fundraiser and organising fundraising events. Link below:
https://fundrazr.com/027Cec

ELIMINATE RAT TRAPS IN YOUR LIFE – INCITE, CONSPIRE, INSPIRE.

Disclaimer for the feds: Incite, Conspire, Inspire is a solely-for-fun section never designed to give real advice. The tools, tactics and ideas given on the series are only thought to entertain. We would never dream of anyone using any of this tools as a form of dissent and we do not promote, partake in or condone any illegal activities that might derive from said tools. 


Environmental health forces us all to put rat traps down when having a food related business. How can you deal with them once you’ve had your inspection? Today, we talk about rat traps!

We’ve all seen them. Tucked in a corner, under furniture, or attached with cable to a wall. Made out of metal or plastic, they usually have rat sized holes on either end.

Rat traps tend to litter the landscape everywhere, and in this article, we will discuss how you can deal with YOUR OWN rat traps once you’re done with them.

If they are attached via a wire to something, then wire cutters might be useful to remove them. Once you have them in your possession, your next step is to open them. Sometimes they open easily, but sometimes you might need a 4 way key or a screwdriver to pry them open. If plastic, they can often be opened by placing them sideways and stomping on the seam. Once they are open, you need to inspect inside.

If they have a weird colour block, or maybe some wheat looking grain, usually dyed red, that is a poison trap. Poison needs to be disposed by burning, as putting poison in the bin will just send the poison somewhere else where a different rat population might live and eat it.

You can do a BBQ one day, or you can put it in a dog poo bin if your local council disposes of dog poop by burning and not by composting.

If they have sticky paper, that’s a glue trap!!! You can put those in the bin, but before you do, make sure you cover all the glue with sand, dirt, or any other granular material that will ensure all the glue is no longer dangerous to anyone.

Lastly, you might find the notorious spring traps, which get set off and are supposed to break the spine of any small animal. All you need to do with those is set them off before disposing.

If the boxes that house the murdering devices are plastic, a good kick works wonders to make them less useful. If they are metal, they might need a hammer!

If by any chance you are unable to remove the traps because you can’t cut the wire or you’re unable to open them to check if there is poison inside, remember that expanding foam sprayed into the holes will ensure whatever is inside stays inside and all the animals outside stay protected from the trap when you put it in the bin!

Now you know how to deal with YOUR OWN rat traps. Don’t do this to other people’s traps. That would be illegal.

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”

EVENT: ANIMAL LIBERATION SUMMIT IN NETHERLANDS.

WHEN: May 11th, 2024 
WHERE: Amsterdam 

“Fighting for animal liberation can feel lonely and pointless. As there will never be a means to and end to these violent industries. Collectively, however, we can bring about meaningful change and connect on our struggle to see it through. 

The animal liberation movement nowadays seems to be comprised by a lot of separate groups and individuals working to accomplish similar goals. By organising this event we hope to bring these groups and individuals together and create a wider and more connected movement.

Come along and enjoy a day of workshops, connect with new people, and let’s blast some fresh energy into the Dutch movement and beyond. 

See you soon!”

More info: https://animalliberationsummit.nl/

FRENTE DE LIBERACION ANIMAL LIBERATES CHICKENS JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

Early December, Buenos Aires Argentina.

Received anonymously via email:

ENGLISH (translation):

“Humanity is so horrible that to celebrate Christmas and new year while promoting peace, they do so by filling their mouths with the abuse and murder of their victims. A few days before those dates we visited a chicken farm and took some of them. Once victims, they are now survivors.

We want to ensure people know that the welfare conditions were terrible, they could barely move due to extreme growth rates to exploit their body as much as possible, making their body way too big for their legs to support it naturally.

The survivors will live as long as their health allows them, but far away from the human monsters who exploited them.

For animal liberation
Frente de liberación animal.”

SPANISH (original)

“es tan horrenda la humanidad que para celebrar su fechas miseras navideñas y año nuevo que pregonan la paz, lo hace llenandose la boca con el sometimiento y asesinato de sus victimas, poco antes de esas fechas aprovechamos para visitar un centro de exterminio de gallinas, y nos llevamos algunas de ellas. antes victimasy ahora sobrevivientes.

queremos destacar el hecho de que el estado en el que estaban era muy malo, dificilmente podian moverse ya que hacen que su crecimiento sea desmedido para explotar al maximo posible su cuerpo, tamaño con el que dificilmente se pueden mantener en pie de manera natural.

estas sobrevivientes viviran lo que su salud condicionada por el especismo les permita, pero lejos de monstruos humanos.

Por la liberacion animal
frente de liberacion animal”

SOME ANARCHISTS SABOTAGE A DAIRY PARLOUR IN SOLIDARITY WITH JACK

3rd March, Leicestershire UK.

Received anonymously via email:



“it is no longer enough to liberate animals from abuse whilst causing the scum that abuse them no bother. for that reason, we fucked up a dairy parlour as much as we could and hope the farmer had an absolute nightmare of a morning when they woke up.

every single one of the milking hoses were cut, as was all the iodine pipes and the air compression pipes that produce suction to milk the cows. the touchscreen computer that controls the whole system was broken, connectors cut and screen smashed.

in the dead of night, with accomplice cows mooing to cover the sound of destruction, we fight back against the capitalist system that commodifies cows as milking machines.

“we’ll be the burning rage
of a dying planet
it’s not too late
this is not the end.”

to jack in atlanta. fire burns in our hearts. the world keeps fighting.

some anarchists.”

A QUICK FEBRUARY UPDATE

In the month of February we’ve received a total of 21 reports of direct action for animal liberation, many of them claimed by the Animal Liberation Front, some claimed by anarchists. A big majority of the reports were sabotage actions, specially directed at hunting towers. Australia also provided an oldie but a goldie, putting bricks through windows that contained very specific messages for Jacinta Allan, a politician responsible for the murder of wild birds in Victoria.

by country, we had reports coming from

GERMANY: 9
ITALY: 3
FRANCE: 3
UK: 2
AUSTRALIA: 2
DENMARK: 1
SPAIN: 1

Switch Off! and Scenes did report lots of earth liberation direct actions, and specifically after Jack was sent to jail Scenes received some very encouraging reports. We’d like to quote a short excerpt of one of them: “We are not special. Our skills are not overly technical or advanced, and our tools are simple to acquire. If you are reading this, you are capable of doing what we do. We all have something to lose; it is simply a matter of living out our beliefs or submitting to the police state. Inaction is a choice just as much as action, and we all have to live with the choices we make.

In the prisoner support corner, as we mentioned before, Jack was added to the prisoner support list, but we also heard that Victor had been released after eleven months of kidnapping, which was extremely heartwarming! We also added Sindre to the prisoner support list, so please write to him today! Lastly it is worth mentioning that Leonard Peltier has a fundraiser for medical expenses and that Jessica is in segregation. As soon as we hear she’s out, we will of course let everybody know. For now, please keep writing letters to as many prisoners as possible.

On the events section, Take Concrete Action anounced the dates for their mass action this summer. Why not plan a trip to sweden?

Of course, you can read the complete articles and anonymous reports on our website if you want more info! 

If you appreciate the work that Unoffensive Animal does, we could do with support to pay for website hosting, servers and so on, as well as to support prisoners and exprisoners.

You can donate over on patreon www.patreon.com/animalliberation or over PayPal on [email protected]

SEE YOU IN THE NEXT RIOT!