Arcnews would like to thank Kent Police for the wonderful contribution they made to the Animal Rights 2007 gathering. Morale was boosted throughout the camp as the police attempted to intimidate the peaceful campaigners by demanding entrance to the animal sanctuary hosting the event. The owner of the site quite understandably didn't want the police marching through her fields and the police, in a huff, went off to get a arrant to search the premises. As a result an impromptu workshop was organised, attended by everyone on site, in which we discussed the best strategies for dealing with police raids and our legal rights as protestors.
It is fair to say that this inspiring and very useful workshop would not have been thought of, or so well attended, if the Kent police hadn't kindly given us two hours notice of their intent to raid the sanctuary. In the event the strategies and tactics discussed worked a treat... the police involved in the raid were clearly very embarassed by the whole situation, the AR folk were obviously enjoying the practical hands on approach to learning how to deal with the police. The fact that the raid dissolved into an embarassing fizzle from the police point of view is entirely down to the fact that the happy campers had decided how to deal with them. As video footage of the event shows, the police were very well managed and neutralised... and it's pleasing to note that nothing untoward was found by them (did they really expect it?) and nobody was arrested.
There are now two hundred plus people with first hand experience of how to manage the police out there... all courtesy of Kent coppers. Again, we extend our thanks for this most inspiring workshop.
The Gathering saw 200 passing through during the weekend, on a site provided by Friend Farmed Animal Sanctuary near Tonbridge, Kent.
The weekend included talks, discussions and workshops on a wide range of issues and activities related to animal rights campaigning, as well as a chance to relax with like-minded people and socialise and network with other campaigners from all over the UK.
Workshops, discussions and talks on various animal rights topics.
Three vegan meals per day, plus site cafe with drinks and snacks provided by Veggies Catering Campaign.
Cinema tent showing animal rights films and latest campaigns dvd's.
Info stalls and merchandise from all the main grass roots campaign groups.
A beautiful rural location, on land owned by a farm animal sanctuary.
A bar open each evening.
Various entertainment, a chance to socialise and network with other campaigners from across the UK.
Volunteers set up the during the week beforehand, including helping out with feeding and fencing for the animals, including cows, horses, pigs, sheep and goats. As well as helping out with the gathering itself, this was a great chance to do some hands on work with the animals. There was a great atmosphere and an opportunity to meet and work with fellow activists.
Note:
Before the police visit the attendance list was 'lost', and with it contact details for the next event. To be sure to be advised about the next gathering sign up for either the Animal Rights Calendar mailing list or to AR Events, the events mailing list for animal rights in London, UK
More ...
This video in three parts documents the whole incident. It's slightly blurred in places to hide people's faces, and some of the sound has been silenced for some parts:
200 lovely people from the UK and some further afield came together over the three days. The weather was wet on Friday and caught out the early birds and made for a potentially miserable weekend in a muddy Kent field. By Saturday however, the rain had passed and the police lurking around the perimeter lanes and lay-bys were sending out some seriously negative vibes and giving any doubters on the good side of the boundary a clear indicator that they were doing something right! Policemen had driven from Hampshire, Surrey, London and the Thames Valley for this gathering of animal friends.
Trying before the gathering to persuade the sanctuary managers to cancel for 'animal welfare considerations', visiting top-knobs from Kent Police claimed there would be a serious risk of visitors bringing in Foot & Mouth if it went ahead, thus requiring the rescued animals to be slaughtered. Living with the fear of anyone importing F&M at any time meant staff already had disinfectant tubs on site. Every visitor to the gathering studiously disinfected footwear and car tyres on entry and exit and - less easy for many - none of the resident farm animals were allowed to be snuzzled, kissed or cuddled.
There were a good number of workshops teaching computer skills, hunt sabbing, promoting veganism and so on, there were parties, lots of laughs and lots of hugs and food by Veggies.
Unimpressed with the fact that so many genuinely nice people weren't intimidated by dozens of police pacing relentlessly up and down adjoining footpaths and spying on campers, grouping around entrance gates front and back staring in, using eavesdropping equipment, monitoring number plates and taking pictures - so many pictures, so many flat cap coppers, so weird - they decided to move in mob handed.
It was suggested early Sunday afternoon that a warrant was being sought to search the property, the police weren't prepared to say for what thus giving no one a chance to redress the crime in question which no one on site had any knowledge of and were unlikely engaged in given the whopping police presence. The 100+ citizens on the inside got on with the workshops and sanctuary chores and eating while the police appeared to fade away. We sussed this was to gather elsewhere for a debrief. An hour later they were back and loads of 'em. Well you have never seen the like! They marched in through the front gate (just one woman amongst 'em) in a long line one with lots of shoulder pips waving this bit of paper up front. The warrant. Not a single one bothered to try and keep out F&M by cleaning their boots as each marched passed the bio security provided by the sanctuary, some having travelled from F&M problem areas. We had even discussed with them the need for this to be considered as and when they barged in to the party.
By now most of the activists on the in had taken seat in front of the main marquee, others filmed police efforts to spread F&M and their advance into the sanctuary they had raided just a few months ago also for no good reason and with no reward. They were looking for 'controlled substances' this time, they said. No one believed them. And they found none. The sniffer dog handler's time was wasted. But what a laugh we had! They looked utterly ridiculous! They were cheered and applauded through their raid, mocked. They maybe weren't all so deserving of ridicule 'cos they all clearly didn't want to be doing this and were on the face of it nice people but they were doing it so its their responsibility so they did deserve it. This was about trying to diruprt the gathering.
Some were polite as they did their job, some were rude but they were all escorted out at the end of their invasion to a long slow hand clap. It was quite strange. We were elated to see how such a simple meeting of minds could generate such interest from so many police forces and were left empowered by their fruitless search and the humour and restraint of us all. This comical operation unsettled many of the village neighbours and enlightened excited and inspired those on site. They'll keep coming but so will we. Next years gatherings have just increased two fold on the back of this years event. Exciting times.
There's plenty more to come on this story. The press covered the gathering because of the police interest in it and there were photographers on site as the raid happened. They cleaned their boots on the way in and out and saw clearly who didn't. We contacted others with updates as they happened.For every action there's a reaction. Bring it on!
It's interesting to see that Mark asks for a copy of the warrant and is only shown a copy, and even then he's only shown it for three seconds.
40 police officers raid animal rights meeting
by Chris Hunter
AN ANIMAL rights campaigner has slammed a police raid on her home as a waste of public money.
More than 40 police officers from Thames Valley Police and Kent Police raided Friend Animal Rescue Centre in Bush Road, East Peckham, at 4pm on Sunday afternoon.
Animal rights campaigners had been gathering on land at the centre, owned by campaigner Marion Eaton, since Friday for an annual meeting.
Activists used mobile phones to film officers as they inspected a caravan on the land, before searching a coach used to house campaigners over the weekend.
Mrs Eaton said: "This road has been full of police since the end of last week. They have been videoing people, taking names.
"I don't know what they are worried about. It's just a gathering for like-minded people that get together to discuss what's going on."
She added: "I would be interested in finding out how much it has cost for the police to do this. It's a waste of taxpayers money."
The police operation follows another raid on the same farm in May, which formed part of Operation Achilles, a national operation investigating criminal activity associated with animal rights.
No-one from Kent Police was available for comment on Sunday afternoon.
The gathering will begin officially from from around midday on Friday 28th and will go on until Sunday evening, you are welcome to stay at the site before this, any time from this weekend onwards, and afterwards for a few days.
How to Get There
The gathering will take place in Kent, South East England. The assembly place will be Paddock Wood train station between Maidstone and Tonbridge. Use the contact numbers when or just before you arrive and we will meet you at the station. Contact numbers for the site: 07951 681405, 07899 775493, 07900 420971
>From London by train
Paddock Wood train station is less than an hour from London by train. There are 4 daytime trains an hour during the week, two per hour in the evening, from Charing Cross station, these also call at Waterloo East (for Eurostar passengers) and London Bridge, so you should catch the train from whichever station is convenient. There are also 3 trains per hour from London Cannon St, which also call at London Bridge. A single journey costs about ten pounds ((£10), a return ticket over 5 days costs about seventeen pounds (£17). For enquiries about train times and prices, contact 08457 484950
If you can't get to Paddock Wood directly by train, you should get to Tonbridge train station which is a few miles away, and take a connecting train to Paddock Wood.
Driving
Paddock Wood is a few miles from Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells. To see a map, click the link, use the zoom feature to zoom and out, and the arrows to navigate, and you should be able to work out directions, contact us if you have problems. click here to view map. If you're driving and want directions straight to the site, contact us, otherwise just make your way to Paddock wood and contact us.
Vehicle Shares
If you are travelling from anywhere by car or bus and can offer a lift to fellow activists, please let us know and we will put people in touch with each other.
If you can't get to Paddock Wood directly by train, you should get to Tonbridge train station which is a few miles away, and take a connecting train to Paddock Wood.
Costs
We are asking for a donation of £10 per person over the weekend, or £5 per day, to help with infrastructure such as marquee hire and showers. Any extra donations for the farm animal sanctuary will also appreciated. You can pay on arrival at the site.
Arriving early and staying later
We will be at the site, on land owned by a farm animal sanctuary, from this weekend and all next week preparing the site, so any volunteers would be greatly appreciated, both to prepare the gathering and carry out vital work for the animals. We will also be staying for a few days afterwards to tidy up the site and prepare the ground for the animals' return.
Food and camping will be provided for the volunteers turning up early or staying later. As well as helping out with the gathering itself, it is a great chance to do some hands on work with the animals. it is usually a great atmosphere and an opportunity to meet and work with fellow activists.
Equipment
If you are coming by vehicle we would also welcome any tools and materials for use on the sanctuary. For example all the usual hand and power tools, gardening tools i.e. wheelbarrows, spades, rakes, etc., sledge hammers and general tools, electric cables. If anyone has any materials i.e., cement, timber, screws, nails, etc. that they can bring then we'd be delighted to receive them. Also any elect
For the gathering itself,, remember to bring with you suitable equipment and clothing: For the evenings, bring warm and waterproof clothing and footwear. Bring torches to find your way round after dark.
Food
Veggies Catering Campaign will be providing field kitchen facilities and running a cafe. If you want to get involved with volunteering for catering, please contact Veggies either on arrival, or beforehand at a href=mailto:arc@veggies.org.uk>arc@veggies.org.uk or 0787 086 1837. This will be great experience in hands-on vegan catering, as well as a vital part of the gathering. If you can bring vegan food and drink to share, it would also be appreciated.
Volunteering
There will be range of other volunteering tasks over the weekend, such as maintaining the site, running the stalls, cafe and bar, preparing the workshops, moving furniture and equipment etc. If you have a vehicle, you could volunteer for the rota to pick up activists from nearly, or fetching vital supplies.
First Aid
With so many people in one place, the odd first aid problem is very likely. If you are a qualified first aider please contact us beforehand, let us know when you are available, and if you have your own first aid equipment.
Timetable of Activities
We will be trying to balance the weekend between the important business of sharing and acquiring new skills, tactics and information in the talks and workshops, with the equally important function of the gathering, which is providing an atmosphere for networking and socialising between activists. More information to follow, or contact us.
Dogs
Sorry no dogs on account of rescued farm animals on site.
Whenever possible Veggies feature the publications of the Movement for Compassionate Living, which we print and distribute to promote simple living and vegan self-reliance as a remedy to the exploitation of humans, animals and the Earth. We also support our nominated charity, Vegfam, ‘Feeding the hungry without exploiting animals’. If you can help us with either of these projects at this event, whilst we are busy with Veggies catering, please email pat@veggies.org.uk.
Police Raid Animal Rights Gathering
It is fair to say that this inspiring and very useful workshop would not have been thought of, or so well attended, if the Kent police hadn't kindly given us two hours notice of their intent to raid the sanctuary. In the event the strategies and tactics discussed worked a treat... the police involved in the raid were clearly very embarassed by the whole situation, the AR folk were obviously enjoying the practical hands on approach to learning how to deal with the police. The fact that the raid dissolved into an embarassing fizzle from the police point of view is entirely down to the fact that the happy campers had decided how to deal with them. As video footage of the event shows, the police were very well managed and neutralised... and it's pleasing to note that nothing untoward was found by them (did they really expect it?) and nobody was arrested.
The Gathering saw 200 passing through during the weekend, on a site provided by Friend Farmed Animal Sanctuary near Tonbridge, Kent.
