This past weekend I attended the Crush Cruelty march from Cavendish Square to Downing Street with Chris Packham — centred around protecting and supporting British wildlife.
Almost a complementary demonstration to May’s ‘Keep the Ban’ protest against Theresa May’s suggested free vote on lifting the fox hunting ban (the biggest protest of the general election time), this weekend’s march expanded out further, to put badger culling, driven grouse shooting and the dwindling numbers of hen harrier into the spotlight as well.
Images from May’s Keep the Ban protest
Crush cruelty stirring speeches
Growing crowds (perhaps even bigger than the previous march) gathered at Cavendish Square to hear rallying speeches from the likes of writer and environmentalist Mark Avery, former Green Party Leader Natalie Bennett, IFAW‘s Philip Mansbridge, Born Free Foundation‘s Mark Jones, Nigel Tolley of Badger Trust and representatives from Hunt Saboteurs, before setting off through a busy central London spreading the word to the masses.
In-glorious 12th
The thousands that marched chose the date especially to coincide with the so-called ‘glorious 12th’; referring to the start of the red grouse shooting season taking place in areas of upland moorland over the next few months. A practice know as ‘driven grouse shooting’.
To allow for the perfect conditions for grouse to thrive (so they can ultimately be shot for this cruel and unnecessary practice, which is masqueraded as ‘sport’), predators such as foxes and birds of prey have their numbers ‘managed’ in preparation.
Re-Christening the day the ‘Inglorious 12th‘, further anti-grouse shooting protests took place on moors across the country, including a large protest walk at Ilkley Moor.
Post-march rallying
The march ended opposite Downing Street, with a powerful opening speech about the impact of driven grouse shooting and the plight of hen harriers (which have declined in huge numbers due to illegal shooting) from wildlife presenter and passionate campaigner Chris Packham.
Actor and vegan campaigner Peter Egan was next to address the crowds, followed by Born Free Foundation CEO Will Travers, representatives from Hunt Investigation Team and League Against Cruel Sports, and Badger Trust CEO and author of Badgered to Death, Dominic Dyer – showing how many NGOs really did come together to form a Crush Cruelty coalition!
Crush Cruelty, for the animals…
Learn about the issues facing British wildlife
- Educating future generations about Britain’s wildlife
- Chris Packham Interview: Are we losing our connection with creepy crawlies?
- Read more about the ‘Keep the ban’ fox hunting demo
- Discover more about the debate surrounding the badger cull
- Holding on to hope: stop fox hunting
- Join Brian May as he stands up for British wildlife
Heroes… all of you. Thank you.
Thank you – it’s wonderful to surround yourself with compassionate people in these kinds of gatherings. Terrible things bring us together, but wonderful that there are people willing to stand up, put differences aside, and fight for what is right 🙂