Hunt Saboteurs Association Press Release November 5th 2011
New Hunt season, more violence against hunt saboteurs
New Hunt season, more violence against hunt saboteurs
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Members of the Hunt Saboteurs Association, from different groups in the South East, visited the meet of the Old Surrey & Burstow & West Kent Fox Hunt, taking place just outside Lingfield in East Sussex. Due to previous violence from this hunts Staff and supporters (who’s Huntsman has a conviction for assaulting a Hunt Saboteur in 1991) the police had been informed of the Hunt Saboteurs intentions, and were in attendance.
At around 3pm saboteurs were attempting to cross a narrow metal bridge on Environment Agency land when a supporter of the hunt took it on himself to block their passage. Other hunt supporters on foot were behind the group, and pushing forward against their backs. In the struggle the supporter pulled a female hunt saboteur over, knocking her head onto the concrete base, causing a deep bloody wound to the crown of her head.
Riders of the hunt, supported by the foot followers, proceeded to barge into the other hunt saboteurs in what seemed to be an attempt to cover up the actions of their supporter. Some saboteurs were then asked to ‘arraign it’ so that the incident was not reported to the police. It is suspected that the perpetrator has a gun licence he would be in danger of losing if convicted of violence. The incident was reported to the Police and the man was questioned. Formal statements and video evidence will be submitted to ensure a conviction.
Lee Moon, spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association said: “This is just one more violent incident in the history of the Old Surrey, Burstow & West Kent Fox Hunt, an organisation whose reason for existence is the infliction of violence. It seems that if they cannot persecute foxes then hunt saboteurs will do as second choice.”
Further information on Old Surrey & Burstow & West Kent Fox Hunt can be found at:
http://hsa.enviroweb.org/index.php/news/archive/201-hunt-saboteur-knocked-unconscious-with-iron-bar-as-hunt-season-starts
http://hsa.enviroweb.org/index.php/news/archive/189-p18500-compensation-for-hunt-saboteur-almost-killed-at-cub-hunt
At around 3pm saboteurs were attempting to cross a narrow metal bridge on Environment Agency land when a supporter of the hunt took it on himself to block their passage. Other hunt supporters on foot were behind the group, and pushing forward against their backs. In the struggle the supporter pulled a female hunt saboteur over, knocking her head onto the concrete base, causing a deep bloody wound to the crown of her head.
Riders of the hunt, supported by the foot followers, proceeded to barge into the other hunt saboteurs in what seemed to be an attempt to cover up the actions of their supporter. Some saboteurs were then asked to ‘arraign it’ so that the incident was not reported to the police. It is suspected that the perpetrator has a gun licence he would be in danger of losing if convicted of violence. The incident was reported to the Police and the man was questioned. Formal statements and video evidence will be submitted to ensure a conviction.
Lee Moon, spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association said: “This is just one more violent incident in the history of the Old Surrey, Burstow & West Kent Fox Hunt, an organisation whose reason for existence is the infliction of violence. It seems that if they cannot persecute foxes then hunt saboteurs will do as second choice.”
Further information on Old Surrey & Burstow & West Kent Fox Hunt can be found at:
http://hsa.enviroweb.org/index.php/news/archive/201-hunt-saboteur-knocked-unconscious-with-iron-bar-as-hunt-season-starts http://hsa.enviroweb.org/index.php/news/archive/189-p18500-compensation-for-hunt-saboteur-almost-killed-at-cub-hunt 
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Bastards
06.11.2011 03:10
Manc. Supporter
All out
07.11.2011 01:23
Underclass rising
All hunts are violent
07.11.2011 01:47
While what has happened is disgusting, we could also post up videos of a red-coated hunter smacking his horse in the face after it tried to refuse to jump a barbed-wire fence. When it resisted, he kept hitting and kicking it and it ended up half-over the fence, barbed wire cutting into its stomach and back legs and moving with such force, it took out almost the entire fence in the field. The hunter proceeded to hit it repeatedly in the face while shouting "for fucks sake you stupid idiot" at the terrified animal.
Horses, as well as the hounds, are merely tools for the hunters, not sentient animals that don't deserve to be treated in such a way. The foxes (or deer, hare, rabbits, mink...) are merely a subject of entertainment also to be used at will by these violent thugs.
At least as sabs we choose to go out in to the field. That does not mean we deserve to be beaten up, ridden at, hit, whipped, sworn at or killed, but we know the risks and make those choices. The animals have no choice. And the hunts should not just be called violent when they have attacked humans - a hunt is violent in its very nature.
Solidarity and respect to everyone who fights, in whatever way, to end the exploitation of any animal, human and non-human alike. I hope the injured recover quickly, physically and mentally and aren't put off continuing to fight.
Sab