FROM WILD JUSTICE

 

Good morning, You’ve probably not missed the news this week announcing a General Election on July 4th. We knew one was going to happen at some point this year – now we have a date in the diary.    General Elections are potential turning points when it comes to policy that effects wildlife and the environment, and so the next six weeks are crucial in influencing the direction of the next UK government. The nature and environmental sector now has a narrow window of opportunity – significant opportunity – to influence all political party’s manifestos and promises.   Wild Justice is disappointed that wildlife organisations often shrink from speaking up in the run up to elections. There is an atmosphere of cautiousness and fear – organisations often explain their caution in saying there are strict restrictions on what charities in particular can do. We do not believe this is the case.    Wild Justice have worked together with our lawyers, Leigh Day, to produce a new piece of guidance; Fighting Fearlessly: campaigning for the environment in the general election 2024.    Our guidance makes it clear that, whilst there are some rules around campaigning during the election, these are easy to navigate.    The bottom line: There is little to prevent organisations from highlighting environmental problems, asking for solutions, and assessing proposed solutions by different political parties.  We believe the supporters of environmental charities should expect them to be communicating their views on what are important policies for the future and there is no reason for those charities not to comment on the policies proposed by a range of political parties.  In our view, there is nothing to prevent environmental charities from making statements such as “This party has a better manifesto on environmental issues for the following reasons.”  Wild Justice will not be staying silent during the election window; we’ll be here, calling out bad policy and highlighting any good policy we see. And – as our guidance shows - as a not-for-profit company there is nothing to stop Wild Justice from endorsing any political party or candidate.   Read our full guidance here: Fighting Fearlessly: campaigning for the environment in the general election 2024.    More General Election analysis coming soon!     That's it for now!       Thank you,   Wild Justice (Directors: Mark Avery, Chris Packham and Ruth Tingay).   This is the 190th Wild Justice newsletter.   This email was sent to you because you subscribed to it through the Wild Justice website or through an e-action or a petition where you ticked a box.  Thank you. We will only use your personal details to send you the Wild Justice newsletter. We will not give or sell your details to anyone else.  You can unsubscribe at any time: there is an unsubscribe button at the foot of this email or you can reply to this email and ask us to remove you from the list (the former will happen immediately, the latter might take a few days).

 

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FROM THE HUNT SABOTEURS - BLOOD SPORTS PEOPLE WILL HUNT ANYTHING AND DAMAGE HABITATS

 

View this email in your browser Hi,  Mink Hunts Routed North And South Hunt sabs have been in action against mink hunts at opposite ends of the country this week. On Friday, sabs from across Yorkshire shut down a meet of the Northern Counties Hunt; yesterday, North Dorset sabs confronted the Courtenay Tracy Mink Hounds on the riverbank.   Direct action wins: brave sabs blockade the hunters. In Yorkshire, sabs located the small group of hunters gathering in a sodden field by the River Wharfe near Selby. The hunters rushed to their vehicles as sabs appeared and - fearing they would escape and hunt elsewhere - sabs then blockaded the vehicles for over two hours. During the standoff, sabs piled on the misery by playing a selection of hits by the Backstreet Boys – all mink and otters in the vicinity are believed to have fled the scene at this point! Once sabs were satisfied that no hunting would take place, they released the hunt vehicles and followed the hound van back to their kennels.  The Courtenay Tracy ‘Mink’ Hounds in prime otter habitat. The following day, North Dorset Hunt Sabs found the Courtenay Tracy Mink Hounds hunting the River Cale near Marnhull, an area celebrated by locals for its thriving otter population. The hunters continued to disturb the sensitive riverside environment as they slowly headed back to the meet, with sabs keeping a close eye on them both in the field and via their drone. Spade and dry-bag: going equipped to commit wildlife crime.  An HSA spokesperson commented: “Over the last 10 years, concerted action by hunt sabs has reduced the number of mink and otter hunts by around half - we reckon there are just nine of these packs still operating in 2024. Those that are struggling on have suffered a massive loss of support – both the Northern Counties and Courtenay Tracy hunts could attract dozens of supporters in their heyday, but neither could muster double figures this weekend.  However, the nine remaining hunts are still out targeting mink, otter and even beavers every week in the summer. They represent a serious threat to all wildlife and sabs will continue to target them over the coming months.” Get involved! Find out how you can be part of our campaign to strengthen the Hunting Act Take Action Spread the word! Please share our news Share via email Copyright (C) 2024 Hunt Saboteurs Association. All rights reserved. You were subscribed to the newsletter from Hunt Saboteurs Association. Our mailing address is: BM HSA, London, WC1N 3XX, U.K. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe

MAKING IT OBVIOUS THAT IS NO PLACE FOR BLOOD SPORTS

 

	Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more A brilliant week at The Chelsea Flower Show standing against hunting  The campaign gathers momentum! ROB POWNALL MAY 26   READ IN APP   What a week it has been! Literally thousands and thousands of people saw our message asking The Chelsea Flower Show to drop the hunt supporting headline sponsor ‘The Newt in Somerset’. And this morning I worked out that I personally stood outside the front gates for 24 hours across the duration of the week so needless to say I am absolutely knackered! I estimate that 1/4 of all attendees to the Chelsea Flower Show this year saw our message.  I just want to express my thanks and appreciation to all those who joined me yesterday for the main demonstration. It was a pleasure to meet so many like minded people all willing to give up their Saturday afternoon to stand up for wildlife. You can see a video below of what the main entrance to the show looked like all of yesterday!  Our message is being heard and the campaign is gathering momentum. Yesterday I was told that 26,000 people walked into the show between the hours that we were stood there (from 8am - 5pm). That’s an incredible number of people not only thinking about our campaign but also about fox hunting more generally and the fact it still goes on. And I was told by numerous staff and attendees that there was a considerable amount of chatter inside the show about our campaign. In recent days the press has picked up the story too with Somerset Live and Yahoo News having published an article (The Newt in Somerset failed to respond to them too!) I couldn’t be prouder of the work that we do and the fantastic people that support Protect the Wild. As an organisation we will never stop fighting for animals and calling out any person or business that sides with cruelty. Our campaign for The Newt in Somerset to ban hunts from their land continues and we have many more actions planned throughout the Summer! And not just in regards to this campaign but when it comes to ending hunting as a whole we will be super busy pushing our calls for The Hunting of Mammals Bill to be adopted! We have since written to the RHS (see here) and again to The Newt in Somerset (see here) asking them both to engage in an open dialogue. In the meantime there’s still things you can do to help the campaign! Please fill out a feedback form to the RHS and express your concerns with them being sponsored by The Newt in Somerset who allow the BSV Hunt to meet on their land.  Other actions you can take Sign the petition to The Newt in Somerset and add your name to 12,000+ others Politely phone the hotel and politely ask them why they are ignoring 12,000+ people asking that they refused to ban the BSV Hunt from their land - 01963 577700 Email us at - volunteer@protectthewild.org.uk if you live in Somerset and want to do some leafleting in your area - we will get some sent out to you! Share our posts on social media Send us a donation to help cover our campaigning costs   LIKE COMMENT RESTACK   © 2024 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ  Unsubscribe

IT HAS TO BE DONE AND SAID OUTSIDE THE CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

 

	Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Standing up for wildlife outside the Chelsea Flower Show Together we are making a difference!  ROB POWNALL MAY 24   READ IN APP   “Shove it up your arse” and “I enjoy ripping foxes apart” were some of the comments directed at me over the past two days at the Chelsea Flower Show. Perhaps not the sort of things you’d expect to hear outside such a “prestigious” event.  So why have I been stood outside the Chelsea Flower Show? Well a few weeks ago we found out that the Newt in Somerset allows the awful fox killing BSV Hunt on their land, and as it happens they’re the headline sponsor for the world famous event. So I figured this was the perfect opportunity to increase the pressure and highlight our campaign for The Newt to ban the BSV hunt from their land.  So over the last two days I have stood in the wind and rain for almost 10 hours outside the main entrance gate as pictured, showing thousands upon thousands of people the truth behind the headline sponsor. In fact I have so far handed out over 3,000 leaflets, and whilst there were a few pro-hunt retorts, the overwhelming majority have been incredibly supportive of the campaign. The word is spreading! And I have had so many positive conversations with people who had no idea about what The Newt supports and now have no intentions on visiting or going back! This post is just to say a huge thank you for your continued support on this campaign. For all the emails, calls, comments and conversations that our wonderful supporters have been having. We truly are making a difference and highlighting the toxicity of hunting to not only the public but to businesses across the UK who may now be thinking twice about having any association with hunts.  If you’re reading this and feeling motivated to take action with me, I will be outside the venue tomorrow for the final day of action. You will be able to find myself and fellow supporters from 8am at the London Gate and you can check out the latest updates about the peaceful and friendly demo here.  Alternatively feel free to drop me an email to let me know you plan on being there and I’m happy to answer any questions - volunteer@protectthewild.org.uk Below are the online actions you can take if you aren’t able to make it tomorrow.  Sign the petition Politely phone the hotel and ask them why they are ignoring 12,000+ people asking that they ban the BSV Hunt from their land - 01963 577700 Email us at - volunteer@protectthewild.org.uk if you live in Somerset and want to do some leafleting in your area - we will get some sent out to you!  Share our posts on social media Send us a donation to help cover our campaigning costs   LIKE COMMENT RESTACK   © 2024 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ  Unsubscribe