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HIGHGATE NATIONAL DEMO REPORT

Saturday, 26th September

Around 350 people demonstrated outside High gate Rabbit & Ferret Farm in Lincolnshire, as part of the Global Week of Action against lab animal breeders. High gate are a supplier of animals to the vivisection industry, including Hunting don Life Sciences and had the spotlight put on their dirty dealings after a rescue in January 2008 of nearly 130 rabbits by caring persons unknown. Protestors have hailed the event as a success, bringing the attention of local people to the farm's immoral practices and the start of an on going and growing campaign to close them down for good.

There were several short speeches during the five hour protest which helped keep the focus on High gate and their sordid trade. One speaker addressing the crowds, police and Geoffrey Douglas (the owner of the 'farm') stated that this campaign could be like another New Church campaign and called upon closure of the animal breeding business, where animals are sent off to certain misery and torture at the hands of the vivisect ors.

Several short speeches were made by campaigners about other local campaigns and upcoming demos in Newcastle against Standoffish and in Hors ham against Ovaries (see the diary dates page).

As protesters stood 750 meters from the farm which lies in Normandy. As they were not allowed to stand any closer to the farm as police had placed a perimeter of police protecting the private business. As demonstrators arrived police used a 12 by 6 foot banner to announce the implementation of the legislation.

The deserted country lanes around High gate farm were heavily policed, with 10 police vans being used as a barrier between the farm and demonstrators, with mounted police waiting beyond. The road down to the farm was also closed so that anyone arriving by vehicle was forced to get out and travel down the lane by shuttle minibus. This prevented people from arriving all at once. However the disruption caused to the local highways has brought the issue to the attention of local people, and there have been positive responses from those people who have spoken to protesters about the issue.

There was also a 2 by 2 foot helicopter with a camera on it is being used by police to monitor the demonstration and also record images of the people there and police on motorbikes in some of the fields. Demonstrators were not surprised by the over the top police presence and the peaceful, loud and focused protest continued until 5pm.

Geoffrey Douglas (owner of High gate Farm) should be under no illusion that his farm will close and we call upon him to release the animals being held captive, so that they can be re homed to a life-long loving environment where they can live out their lives without being tortured by vivisect ors. This was a peaceful, vibrant demo, but angry and focused and our goal is simple, to close down High gate Farm.

With this being a winnable campaign, with many protestors pledging a build up of the campaign at the farm, with regular protests and other events being planned for the near future.

Until all are free.