Anti-Vivisection Protest

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Anti Vivisection Protest

Animal rights activists set up camp outside Normanby by Spital rabbit farm

27 July 2009

ANTI-VIVISECTION activists have set up camp close to the entrance to Highgate Rabbit Farm at Normanby by Spital, protesting against the farm's programme of breeding rabbits and ferrets for the vivisection industry, including Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS)

Around half a dozen protesters arrived at about 8.30am this morning and set up tents and banners about 100 yards away from the main entrance.

Nineteen year old leader Chris witheld his surname but reassured everyone the demonstration was '110 per cent peaceful'.

"This is the lawful side of the animal rights movement," he said. "We are here to peacefully protest and are trying to keep it non-confrontational

Anti-vivisection campaigners outside Highgate Farm at Normanby by Spital this afternoon.

"We're here just to be here, to act as a gentle reminder to the farmer that it's an unacceptable way to make a living and to let local people know we're here."

Chris, who is from the West Country, is a full time activist on animal and human rights and environmental issues and said that although this protest had been organised by him, he was working in conjunction with the Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC) campaign

Other activists have joined the camp during the day but Chris said he did not expect there would be more than a dozen or so as people came and went. He expected the camp to last until Friday.

One of those who came later was Ally from Spilsby, who said she had been involved in animal rights issues for many years.

"As this was local we decided to come," she said.

Farmer Geoff Douglas said much of the farm had been converted into a wildlife reserve

"We are very much animal orientated and most of our animals go to develop vaccines for animals," he said.

He added that he would be writing to The Mail with an explanation of the work that went on there. This letter will be published in The Mail and on this website as soon as it is received.

The demonstration is seen as a precursor to a large national demonstration organised by SHAC planned outside Highgate Farm on September 26, when around 500 demonstrators are expected to attend.

full story:

http://www.marketrasenmail.co.uk/news/Animal-rights-activists-set-up.5497065.jp