Alternative York

I, and a few other people too, are convinced that there is a connection between The Press and York Action For Animals (YAFA). Why else would an organisation that terrorises legitimate businesses and has connections with convicted Animal Liberation Front (ALF) terrorists be seemingly immune from criticism and censure in The Press?

There are only two possible reasons…

1) YAFA/ALF have made threats against The Press or individuals associated with it.

or

2) Senior management or editorial staff at The Press are animal rights activists or sympathisers.

I am determined to find out the truth.

Anyway, a number of readers have complained about The Press pulling comments on the story about YAFA scum trying to disrupt business at The Blue Bicycle again this week. Read on and see if you can draw your own conclusions.

See you soon…

Posted by: bjb, York on 8:29am Wed 13 Feb 08
Yet again I see the campaign against this restaurant
as a gross infringement of the rights of the Blue
Bicycle to serve the food they want to and it’s
customers to enjoy an evening out with the tirade of
hate.

Posted by: Rainbow, York on 8:42am Wed 13 Feb 08
Let me state a FACT here, the protestors were not
moved on by the police at all. The police were just
carrying out their normal routine of checking what
was going on and the protestors intentions
The protestors had every right to be there as it is
everybodys human right to protest peacefully.
I can assure you the police did not move the
protestors on as they are well within their rights to
be there.
Its nice to see people caring about others rather
than just themselves I say.

Posted by: D Armstrong, Feeding his geese on
8:43am Wed 13 Feb 08
I have had personal dealings with this group and the
way they approach their cause is appalling, let
people have freedom of choice.I dont smoke but I
dont boycott my local newsagents for selling ciggies.

Posted by: i am the stig, in my car on
8:45am Wed 13 Feb 08

Its nice to see people caring about
others rather than just themselves I say

In the same way people have the right to eat what
food they like without having there dinning
expierence ruined by people with different opinions
to there own.
Remember protesting is free, dining is not.

Posted by: bjb, York on 8:49am Wed 13 Feb 08

Its nice to see people caring about
others rather than just themselves I
say.

Too true Rainbow. They deserve to eat their very
expensive and probably hard earned meal in peace,
as is their right.

Posted by: oracle, york on 8:57am Wed 13 Feb 08
flaming idiots, the lot of them. I bet they dont pause
to think of the poor old force fed carrots sitting in
their packup box, uprooted at an early age. Or the
cold lonesome sheep wandering the hills, because
their coat has been taken away to knit a rainbow
coloured jumper for these mindless people to wear!!
very selfish attitude.

Posted by: i am the stig, in my car on
8:57am Wed 13 Feb 08

Why don’t the Blue Bicycle use an
alternative to the “mosquito” device
that disperses youths from outside
their premises?

According to it advertising ONLY under 25’s can hear
the mosquito sound device.
I’m 29 and I can assure you I can hear it loud and
bloody clear!

Posted by: Franky, York on 9:02am Wed 13 Feb 08
Ah, great timing! It’s almost if the Press knew this
was due to happen, and couldn’t stand to think what
one of their (ex) bloggers would have to say!

Posted by: D Armstrong, Crying over my vegetables
on 9:03am Wed 13 Feb 08

poor old force fed carrots sitting in
their packup box

I almost cried when I read this, what a heart
breaking image. Might go start a protest against
carrot eaters - anyone seen a horse round here?

Posted by: ouserower, york on 9:03am Wed 13 Feb 08
As Marie Antoinette once said “Let them eat Foie
Gras” Well I think she said that when they ran out of
cake!

Posted by: i am the stig, in my car on
9:13am Wed 13 Feb 08
I want that mad veggie lady to come back.
That was a cracking argument.

Posted by: i am the stig, in my car on
9:18am Wed 13 Feb 08
I’m drooling waiting for that drugged story to come
on the boards.
Depending on what it says, I have a thing or two to
say on the matter.
May take it to the forum or it will get the comments
removed and I dont want that!

Posted by: Jason on 9:20am Wed 13 Feb 08
Lets wait for a councilor to post one of his bleatings
on Facebook and see support start coming from all
over the country, though to be fair he seems to have
learned his lesson on that one.

Posted by: Jo, York on 9:36am Wed 13 Feb 08
Rust, I read your blog - if you’re going to start doing
more writing I suggest you learn the difference
between me, myself and I.

Posted by: i am the stig, in my car on
9:44am Wed 13 Feb 08
It would appear rust never dies, died.
I didn;t think it would be long before the admin
picked up on that.
Shame.

Posted by: Bemused, York on 9:58am Wed 13 Feb 08

The protestors had every right to be
there as it is everybodys human right
to protest peacefully.

But it is an offence to obstruct the footpath. Pity the
police are too busy persecuting car drivers and
spinning as to how good they are!
Now we know why this Blanchard Times offed Rust.

Posted by: BL on 10:05am Wed 13 Feb 08
Next time I pass there and see them I’m tempted to
start looking at the menu board and rubbing my
stomach

Posted by: bjb, York on 10:13am Wed 13 Feb 08
i am the stig wrote:

It would appear rust never dies, died.
I didn;t think it would be long before
the admin picked up on that. Shame.

Agree with him or disagree. Like him or loath him,
the one thing you can say about Rust, there was no
middle ground. What Rust did was open up debate
and gave us the opportunity to nail our own colours
to the mast.
I will miss the FOOM combat.

Posted by: bjc, York on 10:26am Wed 13 Feb 08
i am the stig wrote:

It would appear rust never dies, died.
I didn;t think it would be long before
the admin picked up on that. Shame.

All his ‘recent’ comments in the forum have also
been removed. Looks like he’s finally shuffled of this
mortal coil.. well..just the YEP’s !

I know, I was going to give him said web help as
well.
I still have the link to his blog, so I’ll pop over when
I get time to help.

Posted by: sloppy joe on 10:35am Wed 13 Feb 08
its tasty get over it !!!

Posted by: Rainbow, York on 11:01am Wed 13 Feb 08

But it is an offence to obstruct the
footpath

Bemused, I think that your legal knowlegde is
slightly out of date.
The Human Rights Act gives one the right to
peaceful protest and freedom of assembly - This has
already been decided in court to be a successful
defence to the charge of obstructing the highway.
All the people involved have to show is that it was a
reasonable obstruction whilst carrying out their
above rights and that they were not, in fact, causing
an actual obstruction, ie people could get past.
So the people involved in this story were not
breaking any laws - in fact the officers appear to
have exceeded their powers and unlawfully moved
them on.

Posted by: GoodramgateTerrier, York on
11:09am Wed 13 Feb 08
i am the stig wrote:

It would appear rust never dies, died.
I didn;t think it would be long before
the admin picked up on that. Shame.

to be fair though chief he could have come up with
something a little less obvious!
I’ve been away for a couple of days and I come back
to find chaos, the goose brigade are back, rust has
gone the way of the dodo and name changes have
been used to protect the innocent! madness :O)

Posted by: i am the stig, in my car on
11:11am Wed 13 Feb 08
It was about time I have a change!
I found people were calling by my alter ego more
than my real name! And random people in the
supermarket as well!

Posted by: GoodramgateTerrier, York on
11:16am Wed 13 Feb 08
yeah that’s never a good thing for sure. I was
getting it in the pub as well but it all seems to have
calmed down now thankfully.
On the subject to hand, I have to agree with oracle,
where’s the carrot liberation front when you need
one!
Despite my personal views I would never try to
effect change through force as these people seem to
be. Peaceful protest is one thing but this is bullying
and victimisation. There probably wasn’t even
anyone on the premises eating foie gras but they will
have had their dining experience ruined by these
small minded, intollerant bully boy antics.
Shame on you all!

Posted by: i am the stig, in my car on
11:22am Wed 13 Feb 08
True, the thing is can you really have a peaceful
protest???
OK, they weren’t being phyiscal, but would you want
to go into an expensive restaraunt when there are a
load of people outside with painted banners etc…
Just the sight is indimating, so no violence required.
So it depends on your defination of peaceful.

Posted by: i am the stig, in my car on
11:25am Wed 13 Feb 08
On a breif separate note, myself and some of the
other old regulars chat in the forum section allot
more these days.
Less moderation and more freedom of topic, without
getting under peoples feet.
You should sign up and join in sometimes.

Posted by: GoodramgateTerrier, York on
11:28am Wed 13 Feb 08
Exactly. Im sure the counter argument is quite
powerfull as well if stated properly but I still don’t
see how protesting outside one tiny venue is an
effective tool for change, why not go down to
London where there are bigger venues and more
consumers of this rich delicacy rather than pick on
an easy target!

Posted by: GoodramgateTerrier, York on
11:28am Wed 13 Feb 08
cheers will do.

Posted by: GoodramgateTerrier, York on
11:34am Wed 13 Feb 08
just signed up for it now, but can’t access my other
account from here to get the confirmation details
through so will have to sort it out tonight at home.
Read your comments with interest on the spiking,
have to say I agree, it’s one I hear all too often but
it is nasty when it does happen, but thats a
comments for another thread, not this one.
I notice the goose rights brigade has gone a little
quiet on this subject, possibly it’s harvesting time for
carrots?

Posted by: i am the stig, in my car on
11:42am Wed 13 Feb 08

I notice the goose rights brigade has
gone a little quiet on this subject,
possibly it’s harvesting time for
carrots?

Maybe they are being held up by the fruitairians
protesting about carrot murder!

Posted by: GoodramgateTerrier, York on
11:49am Wed 13 Feb 08
maybe, just out of interest when was this protest
held, cos it looks like daytime on the picture, so was
it yesterday daytime when the road was shut off
then, so they would have had a limited audience
anyway?

Posted by: Jason on 11:52am Wed 13 Feb 08

The Human Rights Act gives one the
right to peaceful protest and freedom
of assembly -

I think the majority of this country are sick to the
back teeth of people justifying their behaviour under
the Human Rights Act.
and as an aisde I think you will find the rights of the
owners of the blue bicycle to participate in legal
activities and earn a living. ie that of selling foie gras
is also protected. So you are infringing on them.

Posted by: thin libby, york on 11:54am Wed 13 Feb 08
get the unwashed scum down to the nick to cool
off.no fan of the over priced bb myself but the bloke
should be able to trade unmolested.

Posted by: Honey, York on 12:54pm Wed 13 Feb 08
oracle wrote:

flaming idiots, the lot of them. I bet
they dont pause to think of the poor
old force fed carrots sitting in their
packup box, uprooted at an early
age.

What a well thought out and clever argument - not. I
never understand why it is that people who care
about the welfare of animals are ridiculed for taking
a stand for something they believe in. It’s not like
it’s a bad thing to think it’s wrong to mistreat
animals. I can only assume that it’s because people
feel guilty about the fact they’re too selfish and
greedy to actually make a sacrifice for the benefit of
other living creatures. People may think they have
the right to eat whatever they like but I think it says
a lot about a person if they think that the suffering
of an animal as a consequence of their choices
doesn’t matter. What’s wrong with you people?

Posted by: Rainbow, York on 12:55pm Wed 13 Feb 08
Some people on here really are ignorant.
If it wasnt for people who are willing to get out there
and protest about issues, there would not be a
minimum wage,
nobody in this country inc non land owners,men and
women regardless of their skin colour would have
the right to vote.
Slavery was abolished largely through protests as
was women getting the vote and non land owners
before that.
We would also probably have to pay much higher
taxes,
we would still be paying the poll tax.
Just to state some examples.
Peoples right to protest is what makes the UK what
it is -a democracy.
If you think the right to peaceful protests are wrong,
then go and live in China where you are not allowed
to have the vote, protest or speak out against abuse
be it abuse of yourselves or issues close to your
heart.

Posted by: Voice of reason, York on
12:59pm Wed 13 Feb 08

On a breif separate note, myself and
some of the other old regulars chat in
the forum section allot more these
days.

Darn it! The Forum is blocked when I’m at work!! Ho
hum. Will have to wait til tea time….

Posted by: Jason on 1:06pm Wed 13 Feb 08
Rainbow stop oppressing my right to having an
opinion that is different to yours, honestly these
people that go tramping on my human rights get
right on my nerves.
How dare you suggest we should go and live in a
totalitarian state just because your view of what is
right and wrong is incorrect.

Posted by: i am the stig, in my car on
1:08pm Wed 13 Feb 08
Rainbow and Honey.
People eat meat, thats something you’ll not change.
I’d hardly compare eating meat to issues such as
slavery and minimum wage.
OK, you could argue force feeding the geese is cruel.
I watched a documentary on Jackals the day, they
ate a springbok alive as it was too big for them to kill
out right. They hunted it down and ate it from the
backside up until it bled to death. Thats kind of cruel
as well dont you think? I dont see you lot protesting
against jackals????

Posted by: Bemused, York on 1:17pm Wed 13 Feb 08
If they want to protest against animal cruelty, they
should go protest at Indian restaurants where they
sell meat slaughtered in a way which is cruel and
barbaric and straight from the Middle Ages - Halal
meat.
Better still they should picket a mosque.

Posted by: bjb, York on 1:36pm Wed 13 Feb 08
How can digging up someone dead mother, breaking
into business premises, physically assaulting and
terrorising people legally running an operation and
indescriminate bombing innocent people be called
democratically excercising rights to protest.

Posted by: Bemused, York on 2:12pm Wed 13 Feb 08

Article 11 Freedom of assembly and
association
1 Everyone has the right to freedom
of peaceful assembly and to freedom
of association with others, including
the right to form and to join trade
unions for the protection of his
interests.
2 No restrictions shall be placed on
the exercise of these rights other
than such as are prescribed by law
and are necessary in a democratic
society in the interests of national
security or public safety, for the
prevention of disorder or crime, for
the protection of health or morals or
for the protection of the rights
and freedoms of others. This
Article shall not prevent the
imposition of lawful restrictions on
the exercise of these rights by
members of the armed forces, of the
police or of the administration of the
State.

The right of protest is not as cate blanche as the
animal liberation brigade made it out to be.
Apart from the fact that only peaceful protest is
allowed, there must be protection of the rights and
freedoms of others. The rights and freedoms
associated with running a lawful business and eating
a lawful product in a restaurant, for example.
Blanchard and his fellow idiots on the council are to blame for this. Will do wonders for the tourist trade,
screw it up better than even Ms Cruddas can!

Posted by: Honey, York on 2:15pm Wed 13 Feb 08
i am the stig wrote:
Rainbow and Honey. People eat meat,
thats something you’ll not change. I’d
hardly compare eating meat to issues
such as slavery and minimum wage.
OK, you could argue force feeding the
geese is cruel. I watched a
documentary on Jackals the day, they
ate a springbok alive as it was too big
for them to kill out right. They hunted
it down and ate it from the backside
up until it bled to death. Thats kind of
cruel as well dont you think? I dont
see you lot protesting against
jackals????
Again, another ridiculous and childish argument
because you can’t come up with a good reason why
force feeding geese isn’t cruel. That is nature. We,
as humans, are supposed to be able to think logically
about what we do and show some empathy. Jackals
are not aware of the pain that they are causing.
Whereas people are fully aware unless they have
some kind of mental illness, some people just don’t
care. However much you argue for the right to eat
what you like, if you don’t care about the suffering it
has caused then that doesn’t say very much about
you as a human being. Well, nothing positive
anyway!

Posted by: i am the stig, in my car on
2:22pm Wed 13 Feb 08
if you don’t care about the suffering it
has caused then that doesn’t say very
much about you as a human being.
Well, nothing positive anyway!
Only from your point of view.
There is no law that says I have to care. However
you lot seem hell bent on making me think the same
way as you.
So who is the evil now eh?

Posted by: Elizabeth, york on 2:38pm Wed 13 Feb 08
I don’t think they’re being evil or trying to
makepeople think the same way as them. They are
putting across an alternative view. I think that the
view that animals dont deserve to suffer is far more
admirable and compassionate than “I don’t care”.
I eat meat but try my best to make sure the meat I
eat lived as comfortable a life as possible.
The fact is foie gras is not a necessity it just,
suposedly, tastes better having been produced in the
way it has. If foie gras was banned then something
positive will have been done regarding the welfare of
geese and no human will actually suffer because of
it.
It sad that people get so angry just because people
have strong views born of compassion that they are
willing to stand up for.

Posted by: bjb, York on 2:58pm Wed 13 Feb 08

It sad that people get so angry just
because people have strong views
born of compassion that they are
willing to stand up for.

People are not getting angry because of the view
held by animal rights supporters. Itis because of
their persistence at trying to force their beliefs on
others. I would not be bothered in the least if they
held monthly meetings in the backroom of a pub or
publicised their message on the internet. If they had been trades unionists fighting for betters
terms and conditions there would have been arrests
for public order offences.

Posted by: i am the stig, in my car on
3:03pm Wed 13 Feb 08
It sad that people get so angry just
because people have strong views
born of compassion that they are
willing to stand up for.
Like the other man said.
There passion is directly affecting someone else legal
sought livelyhood.
There is a time and place to aire your opinion, and
outside someones business with the intent of scaring
off customers is not one of them.
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: Elizabeth, york on 3:03pm Wed 13 Feb 08
bjb wrote:
It sad that people get
so angry just because
people have strong
views born of
compassion that they
are willing to stand up
for.
People are not getting angry because
of the view held by animal rights
supporters. Itis because of their
persistence at trying to force their
beliefs on others. I would not be
bothered in the least if they held
monthly meetings in the backroom of
a pub or publicised their message on
the internet. If they had been trades
unionists fighting for betters terms
and conditions there would have been
arrests for public order offences.
Ah yes! Chatting to each other in the back room of a
pub. The most effective form of protest. I think they
were going for a form which would get attention and
perhaps raise awareness.
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: Elizabeth, york on 3:07pm Wed 13 Feb 08
i am the stig wrote:
It sad that people get
so angry just because
people have strong
views born of
compassion that they
are willing to stand up
for.
Like the other man said. There
passion is directly affecting someone
else legal sought livelyhood. There is
a time and place to aire your opinion,
and outside someones business with
the intent of scaring off customers is
not one of them.
Is it though? Are the BB losing business? Theirintent
could be to make customers aware rather than scare
them off. And the pic suggests there were only two
of them. Hardly intimidating. If people are strong
enough in their own views or open-minded enough
to hear other peoples views they will not be
intimidated.
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: bjb, York on 3:11pm Wed 13 Feb 08
I think they were going for a form
which would get attention and
perhaps raise awareness. By harrasing people who probably have no intention
of ordering the stuff, and are just looking for some
R&R.
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: Jason on 3:16pm Wed 13 Feb 08
Has anyone read the text on the YAFA website about
this? If that isn’t threatening behavior then I don’t
know what is.
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: Elizabeth, york on 3:16pm Wed 13 Feb 08
Were you there to see they were actually harrassing
people?
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: i am the stig, in my car on
3:25pm Wed 13 Feb 08
Hardly intimidating. If people are
strong enough in their own views or
open-minded enough to hear other
peoples views they will not be
intimidated.
Maybe they are not being phyiscal, but you know as
well as I don that people would probably not eat
there as they’d like to avoid any trouble, remember
its not exactly cheap and animals rights activist DO
carry a certain repuation with them.
No one said indimation has to be phyiscal.
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: Bemused, York on 3:30pm Wed 13 Feb 08
Posted by: Jason on 3:16pm today
Has anyone read the text on the
YAFA website about this? If that isn’t
threatening behavior then I don’t
know what is.
They are at the very least associated with terrorists,
and they don’t ‘peacefully demonstrate’, they try to
intimidate people from lawfully going for a meal.
By now they should have all be locked up and bound
over. The photo on this page shows them
obstructing the pavement, and making it impossible
for passers by to read the menu. A photo on the
YAFA site shows over 20 along the pavement by the
BB, and the entrance is being obstructed by a bike.
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: Elizabeth, york on 3:34pm Wed 13 Feb 08
i am the stig wrote:
Hardly intimidating. If
people are strong
enough in their own
views or open-minded
enough to hear other
peoples views they will
not be intimidated.
Maybe they are not being phyiscal,
but you know as well as I don that
people would probably not eat there
as they’d like to avoid any trouble,
remember its not exactly cheap and
animals rights activist DO carry a
certain repuation with them. No one
said indimation has to be phyiscal.
I didn’t suggest intimidation had to be physical
either. Infact I was suggesting that people would not
be intimidated by there presence.
You have to be careful with generalisations too…not
all animal rights activists are associated with
terrorism. Yes some have used terrible means of
making a point nad they are not to be supported but
you can’t brand a couple of people with placards as
terrorists.

Posted by: i am the stig, in my car on
3:34pm Wed 13 Feb 08
A photo on the YAFA site shows over
20 along the pavement by the BB,
and the entrance is being obstructed
by a bike.
Assuming I ate at the BB, whcih I dont, I’d have
politely removed the bike and parked it where the
sun dont shine.
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: Elizabeth, york on 3:36pm Wed 13 Feb 08
i am the stig wrote:
A photo on the YAFA
site shows over 20
along the pavement
by the BB, and the
entrance is being
obstructed by a bike.
Assuming I ate at the BB, whcih I
dont, I’d have politely removed the
bike and parked it where the sun
dont shine.
and that would be acceptable behaviour?! one rule
for people whos cause you don’t agree with another
for you.
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: i am the stig, in my car on
3:41pm Wed 13 Feb 08
If they weren’t there to provoke me and spoil my
evening that would never happen.
I dont work all day and night to earn money to have
these “things” spoil my evening just because I cant
be forced to see what they want me to.
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: Bemused, York on 3:46pm Wed 13 Feb 08
You have to be careful with
generalisations too…not all animal
rights activists are associated with
terrorism. Yes some have used
terrible means of making a point nad
they are not to be supported but you
can’t brand a couple of people with
placards as terrorists.
They use bombs, threats to kill, and dig up grannies,
and the YAFA is most certainly associated with
people who do just that.
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: Elizabeth, york on 3:48pm Wed 13 Feb 08
“They use bombs, threats to kill, and dig up
grannies, and the YAFA is most certainly associated
with people who do just that.”
Well I don’t know anything about that…where did
you find this out from?
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: GoodramgateTerrier, York on
3:48pm Wed 13 Feb 08
did that family ever get the remains of their
grandmother back by the way?
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: Honey, York on 3:49pm Wed 13 Feb 08
i am the stig wrote:
It sad that people get
so angry just because
people have strong
views born of
compassion that they are willing to stand up
for.
Like the other man said. There
passion is directly affecting someone
else legal sought livelyhood. There is
a time and place to aire your opinion,
and outside someones business with
the intent of scaring off customers is
not one of them.
So feeling compassion for animals suffering just
cause some selfish people want to eat their fat livers
isn’t OK. But I’m supposed to feel compassion for
the people peddling it?! I don’t think so! Yes there’s
a time and place to air your views, and outside
somewhere that sells the stuff seems to be the best
place to be honest. Not much use complaining about
it over a cup of tea. At least these people have the
courage and conviction to do something about it,
where most people can’t be bothered.
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: i am the stig, in my car on
3:51pm Wed 13 Feb 08
Elizabeth wrote:
“They use bombs, threats to kill, and
dig up grannies, and the YAFA is most
certainly associated with people who
do just that.” Well I don’t know
anything about that…where did you
find this out from?
It was all over the news a few years back.
The owner of an animal testing centre has hid
recently departed grandmothers remains dug up,
stolen and ransomed back.
But the ransom wasn’t money, it was the closure of
his lab.
I could look though google to find a link, but I cant
be bothered.
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: Elizabeth, york on 3:53pm Wed 13 Feb 08
i am the stig wrote:
Elizabeth wrote:
“They use bombs,
threats to kill, and dig
up grannies, and the
YAFA is most certainly
associated with people
who do just that.” Well
I don’t know anything
about that…where did
you find this out from?
It was all over the news a few years
back. The owner of an animal testing
centre has hid recently departed
grandmothers remains dug up, stolen
and ransomed back. But the ransom
wasn’t money, it was the closure of
his lab. I could look though google to
find a link, but I cant be bothered.
But were YAFA involved? That is who this article is
about. If not statements cannot be made to the
effect that they are linked just because they are
fighting for the same cause. If they are fighting for
the cause in different ways they cannot be
compared.
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: i am the stig, in my car on
3:54pm Wed 13 Feb 08
So feeling compassion for animals
suffering just cause some selfish
people want to eat their fat livers
isn’t OK. But I’m supposed to feel
compassion for the people peddling
it?! I don’t think so! Yes there’s a
time and place to air your views, and
outside somewhere that sells the
stuff seems to be the best place to be
honest. Not much use complaining
about it over a cup of tea. At least
these people have the courage and conviction to do something about it,
where most people can’t be bothered.
But again, you are forcing your views onto the
people that clearly have no problem with the way
the food is produced.
OK, if you let them know they feel it is unacceptable
and then move on, but they dont.
They stand and chant, block enterances, and
generally make a fuss in order to discourage
customers from entering.
As far as I am aware there is no law saying you have
to care how your food is made, so who are you lot to
try and enforce it?
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: GoodramgateTerrier, York on
3:56pm Wed 13 Feb 08
Elizabeth wrote:
“They use bombs, threats to kill, and
dig up grannies, and the YAFA is most
certainly associated with people who
do just that.” Well I don’t know
anything about that…where did you
find this out from?
I notice on the YAFA website they publish full details
of the BB’s postal address and phone number and
advise people to call the BB and express their
disgust with the BB’s sale of Foie Gras. How is that a
positive and reasoned stance of protest to take?
incidently on their website there are links to various
other animal activist groups including Hunt
Saboteurs association and Stop Huntington Animal
Cruelty - which openly shows images of it’s
members wearing masks and carrying weapons of
some sort….now does that sound like a decent and
wholesome association to be linked to?
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: Bemused, York on 4:01pm Wed 13 Feb 08
From The Times
May 12, 2006
Animal rights grave-robbers are jailed
for 12 years each
By Nicola Woolcock
THREE animal rights extremists were
jailed for twelve years each yesterday
for waging a six-year hate campaign
that included the desecration of a
grandmother’s grave.
Jon Ablewhite, John Smith and Kerry
Whitburn admitted their leading roles
in intimidating and attacking the
owners of Darley Oaks guinea-pig
farm in Staffordshire only two weeks
before they were due to stand trial.
Josephine Mayo, a fourth extremist
who admitted similar offences, was
jailed for four years.
Judge Michael Pert, QC, said that the
four offenders had disinterred the
remains in the low point of a
“campaign of terror” that ruined
many people’s lives.
He said: “You kept the family on
tenterhooks as to when you would
return her and you used as a weapon
the threat that you would do the
same again. I am firmly of the view
that each of you does represent a
danger to society.”
The sheer weight of evidence against
all four was disclosed yesterday as
they were sentenced at Nottingham
Crown Court after admitting during a
hearing last month to conspiring to
blackmail the family.
The three men, who all had previous
convictions, were leaders of the
campaign that culminated in the theft
of Gladys Hammond’s body. She was
Protestors Target Gourmet Eaterie (from York Press) http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/yorknews/display.var.2039693.0.pro…
14 of 22 14/02/2008 09:43
the mother-in-law of Christopher Hall,
co-owner of the farm in Newchurch,
Staffordshire, that bred guinea-pigs
for medical research. Her remains
were recovered last week after
Smith, considered the most hardened
of the four activists, disclosed their
location in what proved to be an
unsuccessful attempt to reduce his
sentence.
Anthony Glass, QC, for the
prosecution, described the campaign
as prolonged and vicious. He said
that Mrs Hammond’s jawbone was
left at the graveside. Ablewhite, 36, a
teacher living in Manchester; Smith,
39, of Wolverhampton; Whitburn, 36,
of Birmingham; and his girlfriend,
Mayo, 38, also of Birmingham, had
believed that they were untouchable,
but had made numerous errors that
eventually led to their arrests.Mayo
was caught on closedcircuit television
buying a petrol can that was used to
make an explosive device left at the
home of Mr Hall’s daughter, Sally-Ann
Hall, 28. A map book found in her car
had a broken spine and opened
immediately on to Miss Hall’s
address.
Documentation stolen in a burglary at
the farm in 1999 was found in
Ablewhite’s home and his computer
had an image of Miss Hall’s home. His
mobile phone contained the
registration numbers of cars that had
been attacked. He also sent an e-mail
of personal details of family and
friends of the Hall family, which
described the action as an “ongoing
holocaust”.
A manual typewriter, stencil,
handwriting linked with abusive
letters and photocopies of an
anatomy book showing a skull with its
jawbone removed, were found at
Whitburn’s house. Footage of the
burglary in 1999 and a sheet of car
registration numbers and personal
details of the Halls, including birth,
marriage and death certificates, were
discovered at Smith’s home.
Staffordshire Police made an appeal
on Crimewatch in March last year.
Immediately after the programme,
Smith, Ablewhite and Whitburn drove
to woodland near the guinea-pig
farm. When stopped by police the
next day, the car was found to
contain a collapsible spade,
headlamp, balaclava and wet
camouflaged clothing linked to
Ablewhite.
A text message sent by Smith while
the men were in the woods referred
to “flies hovering, could be a while”.
Police now believe that they were
moving the body.
Harrowing witness statements were
read to the court that brought home
the horror and relentlessness of the
attacks. Hundreds of letters were
sent to victims including the Halls’
cleaner, May Hudson, threatening to
dig up her recently deceased
husband. Others were hoax
invitations, sympathy cards or birth
announcements. When Mr Hall’s
mother died, a card was sent saying:
“One down, seven to go.” Letters
offered to reveal where the body was
if trading stopped, but the location
was not revealed even when the farm
closed in January.
Detective Chief Inspector Nick Baker,
who led the investigation, said: “It
became clear that we were dealing
with lawless people who were
ruthless in their aims. Ablewhite,
Whitburn and Smith were not on the
fringes of the animal rights campaign.
But, despite their meticulous
planning, the offenders made several mistakes. They refused to go to
ground following the desecration.”
The police bill for protecting the farm
and surrounding community and
investigating the threats and attacks
reached more than £3 million.
In a witness statement, Mr Hall said
that he had spent about £400 a week
on security, including electric fences,
dogs and cameras. He was critical of
the initial stages of the response,
saying: “It became a battle to
survive. Often when charges got to
court people got off, or the CPS
wouldn’t even prosecute. It seemed
we have no support from the
Government when they were taking
60 per cent of the guinea-pigs we
were producing. My family and I may
as well have been in prison for six
years. These activists are terrorists.”
These are the sort of people YAFA are associated
with.
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: GoodramgateTerrier, York on
4:08pm Wed 13 Feb 08
incidently as well it’s huntingdon, not huntington, as
their weblink puts it. Slack… Also I can’t actually
access the Hunt Sab’s website as it is blocked by the
net filters here under the category - ‘weapons’
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: GoodramgateTerrier, York on
4:08pm Wed 13 Feb 08
incidently as well it’s huntingdon, not huntington, as
their weblink puts it. Slack… Also I can’t actually
access the Hunt Sab’s website as it is blocked by the
net filters here under the category - ‘weapons’
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: GoodramgateTerrier, York on
4:09pm Wed 13 Feb 08
sorry for the double post, hit f5 a bit too quick!
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: Elizabeth, york on 4:13pm Wed 13 Feb 08
Bemused what do you mean by associated. That
article doesn’t really answer the question. Were the
people in the article members of YAFA. Do YAFA
have links with them? Or do you think they are
associated because they are animal rights activists?
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: tricky ricky, malton on
4:16pm Wed 13 Feb 08
I like steak.
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: sloppy joe on 4:23pm Wed 13 Feb 08
geese stuff them selfs anyway. we just help them
along a bit hehe
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: RikRock, York on 4:25pm Wed 13 Feb 08
These are the sort of people YAFA are
associated with.
Rubbish
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: D Armstrong on 4:26pm Wed 13 Feb 08
I like steak
I like steak, rabbit and pigeon

Posted by: tricky ricky, malton on
4:30pm Wed 13 Feb 08
my 7yr old daughter loves rabbit. and Venison
and hare
and pheasent
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: RikRock, York on 4:33pm Wed 13 Feb 08
I can’t actually access the Hunt Sab’s
website as it is blocked by the net
filters here under the category -
‘weapons’
The ‘weapons’ on that site are descriptions of
implements carried by Hunt Supporters.
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: Elizabeth, york on 4:35pm Wed 13 Feb 08
tricky ricky wrote:
my 7yr old daughter loves rabbit. and
Venison and hare and pheasent
what on earth hsa that got to do with the article?
The issue is not about not eating meat its about the
treatment of animals before they are killed for meat.
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: RikRock, York on 4:37pm Wed 13 Feb 08
does that sound like a decent and
wholesome association to be linked
to?
Don’t you understand the difference between 2
organisations being linked - and a web link (shortcut
to a website) ?
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: tricky ricky, malton on
4:39pm Wed 13 Feb 08
Oh i’m sorry. I was just making the point that at the
age 7Years my daughter has already decided she
likes certain meats. She is also aware of where they
come from. I agree, Meat should be farmed
ethically. All my meat is sourced locally so I know
how it has lived (and died). If this is your only
agument, then if all meat and its by-products was
reared and slaughtered ethically then you would be
happy? Yes?
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: RikRock, York on 4:39pm Wed 13 Feb 08
Going back to the original story.
It is a bit pathetic for some of these posters getting
so wound up by, what appears to be, a woman and a
teenager handing out leaflets !
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: Jason on 4:43pm Wed 13 Feb 08
Who said foie gras is cruel? Being deprived of it, that
would be cruel.
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: D Armstrong, York on
4:44pm Wed 13 Feb 08
Point is they should not force their own opinion on
others whilst the others are trying to enjoy a night
out and paying good money to do so.
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: tricky ricky, malton on
4:44pm Wed 13 Feb 08
Forced Rhubarb is cruel

Posted by: Bemused, York on 4:49pm Wed 13 Feb 08
Posted by: Elizabeth, york on 4:13pm
today
Bemused what do you mean by
associated. That article doesn’t really
answer the question. Were the people
in the article members of YAFA. Do
YAFA have links with them? Or do
you think they are associated
because they are animal rights
activists?
This is what I mean
Animal activists backed by stars
By Mike Laycock
8:49am Thursday 23rd August 2007
IT has only been running for ten
months, but a York animal rights
group claims it has already won the
support of superstars from the likes
of Bryan Adams, Sting and Sinead
O’Connor.
Now York Action for Animals (YAFA)
has invited a rather different “star” to
address a meeting in the city - former
leader of the notorious Animal
Liberation Front, Keith Mann.
Spokesman Matt Gibbons said Mr
Mann had gained fame by escaping
from prison in the 1990s and using
his time on the run to co-ordinate ALF
activities.
“The Animal Liberation Front gained
notoriety in the 1980s and 1990s by
breaking into laboratories and other
places of animal abuse, and rescuing
animals,” he said.
Mr Mann has served lengthy jail
terms for a range of actions including
attacking the home of a fox hunter,
possession of explosives, incitement
and criminal damage.
He was jailed after raiding a research
laboratory and removing 695 caged
mice, which were allegedly being
used to test botulinum toxin, used in
Botox.
And this is what the ALF is
The ALF has been described as a
domestic terrorist threat in the
UK,and in January 2005, it was
named as a terrorist threat by the
United States Department of
Homeland Security.
Quote | Report this post
Posted by: Bemused, York on 4:50pm Wed 13 Feb 08
Wonder how long before this thread is deleted?

Posted by: Elizabeth, york on 4:51pm Wed 13 Feb 08
tricky ricky wrote:
Oh i’m sorry. I was just making the
point that at the age 7Years my
daughter has already decided she
likes certain meats. She is also aware
of where they come from. I agree,
Meat should be farmed ethically. All
my meat is sourced locally so I know
how it has lived (and died). If this is
your only agument, then if all meat
and its by-products was reared and
slaughtered ethically then you would
be happy? Yes?
I see. It just seemed like you were listing meats
your daughter ate for no apparent reason.
Yes. I eat meat too. Just think it should be ethically
reared as you say.

Posted by: D Armstrong, York on
4:55pm Wed 13 Feb 08
Not as bad as sun dried tomatoes

Posted by: RikRock, York on 5:00pm Wed 13 Feb 08
Bemused what a bizarre fantasy land you live in.
What about Sir Roger Moore or 2 of the countries
leading anti-foiegras campaigners - The Duke and
Duchess of Hamilton ?? do you think that they are
linked with graverobbers as well?
No - this campaign is against foie gras, simple as
that, perhaps you are getting old and starting to see
conspiracies everywhere

Posted by: waddo51, leeds on 5:03pm Wed 13 Feb 08
Why dont YAHA (or othe animal rights groups)
demonstrate against businesses who serve Halal
meat (as mentioned in an earlier post) Is it because
they think they will be tarnished as Racists?or
because of the religious element? Where as with
businesses such as BB, there is no danger of that
despite both organisations supposedly being
associated with killing animals inhumanely.

Posted by: RikRock, York on 5:00pm
today
Bemused what a bizarre fantasy land
you live in. What about Sir Roger
Moore or 2 of the countries leading
anti-foiegras campaigners - The Duke
and Duchess of Hamilton ?? do you
think that they are linked with
graverobbers as well? No - this
campaign is against foie gras, simple
as that, perhaps you are getting old
and starting to see conspiracies
everywhere
Read the copy, I didn’t write it and it’s in the public
domain. It shows a clear link between ALF and YAFA.
I don’t give a **** about the opinions of celebrities
and aristocrats, they don’t live in the real world.

Posted by: RikRock, York on 5:26pm Wed 13 Feb 08
they don’t live in the real world.
- Do you ? or just a virtual copy/paste world?
So a guy steals some mice, and someone wanted
him to do a talk - big deal.
I assume that he never came or we would have
heared about it by now.
From what I undertand, YAFA regularly talk to the
police about thier plans, so they will be all above
board.

Why are you so petrified of their leaflets and stalls ?
because that is all they do.

Posted by: Bemused, York on 5:30pm Wed 13 Feb 08
Mr Mann has served lengthy jail
terms for a range of actions including
attacking the home of a fox hunter,
possession of explosives, incitement
and criminal damage.
So he’s a terrorist and associated with YAFA.

Posted by: RikRock, York on 5:34pm Wed 13 Feb 08
rubbish - how is he associated ? someone wanted
him to give a talk which never happened - wow
are you getting paranoid?
back in the real world, YAFA just give out leaflets
and do stalls and discuss their plans for
demonstrations with the police - mmmm… they
seem fine to me

Posted by: Bemused, York on 6:00pm Wed 13 Feb 08
A talk which never happened? By the way, less of
the insults, more dealing with the issues please.
Animal activists backed by stars
From the archive, first published
Thursday 23rd Aug 2007.
……..Now York Action for Animals
(YAFA) has invited a rather different
“star” to address a meeting in the city
- former leader of the notorious
Animal Liberation Front, Keith
Mann…..”It will be great for Keith to
come to York and give a talk about
his experiences,” he said. “He will be
showing a film, which is awesome. It
shows the history of animal liberation
in the UK and anyone who watches it
will end up becoming vegetarian….”
Matt said the meeting would take
place in November, but a date and
venue had yet to be decided.
and hey presto after the meeting having got their
orders from ALF
Foie Gras protests planned outside
York restaurant
From the archive, first published
Saturday 17th Nov 2007.
ANIMAL rights campaigners are
planning a weekend of action against
a York restaurant because it has foie
gras on the menu.
York Action for Animals (YAFA) says it
intends holding demonstrations
outside the Blue Bicycle in Fossgate
on December 14, 15 and 16.
YAFA spokesman Matt Gibbons said
he was expecting around 50 people
to attend from throughout the North
but believed it was possible that
hundreds of people could turn up,
brandishing placards and banners.

Posted by: viper on 6:22pm Wed 13 Feb 08
If I was the owner, I’d be looking at seeking
compensation from the protesters for loss of
earnings, as I’m sure they will be hit with the
protests going on.
The business is doing nothing illegal.
They also left a lot of their posters/banners behind -
surely littering. Everyone, fancy getting together and protesting and
slapping stickers on all the Ugly people in York - how
dare they go out in public during day light hours.
Sod their rights - it’s a peace full protest.

Posted by: Taken for a Mug, To the right of centre
on 7:50pm Wed 13 Feb 08
So a guy steals some mice, and
someone wanted him to do a talk -
big deal.
If only he did just steal a few mice!!
Mann was first jailed in 1992 in connection with an
attack on the home of a fox hunter. In 1994, he was
sentenced to 14 years in jail, reduced to 11 years on
appeal, for 21 offences including possession of
explosives, incitement, criminal damage, and escape
from custody. He had set a number of meat lorries
on fire and, after his arrest, escaped from Stretford
police station. The sentencing judge justified a
lengthy custodial sentence by describing him as a
“dangerous and fanatical” man whose tactics “bore
all the hallmarks of terrorism.”
After being paroled, he became involved, according
to the Sunday Times, in the launch of a new
campaign called Gateway to Hell, aimed at “targeting
airports, ports and freight firms importing animals
for experimentation.” The National Extremism
Tactical Co-ordination Unit believes the group is
closely linked with SHAC, and it used similar tactics
with attacks launched against the homes of five air
transport executives within days of the campaign
starting. Describing himself as a spokesman for the
campaign Mann explained, “once we have stopped
the airports, which we will do before too long, it is
going to be difficult for them to find other ways of
bringing animals in.”
Mann was again jailed in April 2005, after raiding a
research laboratory and removing 695 mice that
were being used to test Dysport. He argued that the
tests were illegal because the product was being
tested for cosmetic purposes, which is banned in
Britain. A court rejected his claims, and found that
the tests were in compliance with UK regulations
because Dysport is used for therapeutic purposes to
prevent muscle spasms. He was found guilty of
burglary and ordered to conduct 230 hours of
community service. However, on leaving the court,
Mann threatened a director of the research
company, reportedly telling him, “Your trouble has
only just started, you will need to look under your
bed.” Mann was charged with contempt of court and
sentenced to a six months in custody, which he
served in Winchester Prison.

Posted by: TooRad, york on 8:12pm Wed 13 Feb 08
Franky wrote:

Ah, great timing! It’s almost if the
Press knew this was due to happen,
and couldn’t stand to think what one
of their (ex) bloggers would have to
say!

agreed!

Posted by: bjb, York on 8:28pm Wed 13 Feb 08

Elizabeth wrote:
tricky ricky wrote:
my 7yr old daughter
loves rabbit. and
Venison and hare and
pheasent
what on earth hsa that got to do with
the article? The issue is not about not
eating meat its about the treatment
of animals before they are killed for meat.
Bet you have bought a cheap chicken or two from
the supermarket Liz.

More scope there for your lot to protest about, or
are you only interested in posh food animals.

Posted by: Voice of reason, York on
8:30pm Wed 13 Feb 08
Wow! 100 comments and we’re still on topic!
That wouldn’t have happened a month ago!
Peace to you all!

Posted by: Jason on 11:33pm Wed 13 Feb 08
And credit to the press for not appearing to be in the
pockets of the animal rights brigade by yet pulling
the comments.

Posted by: TooRad, york on 8:09am today
Posters here are funny. All up in arms about loss of
freedom of speech when it’s some mouthy blogger,
then all up in arms when someone they disagree
with tries to exert their freedoms. Double standards
or what?
No-one’s forcing their opinions on you any more
than any advertiser on prime-time TV, billboard or in
your daily paper. Get real folks!
And, remember - this is York. It’s a bleedin toytown.
Have you actually seen or met any of these YAFA
“terrorists”? They wouldn’t scare my granny, even if
they waved a leaflet at her! Again, get real folks!

Posted by: Elizabeth, york on 9:20am today

bjb wrote:
Elizabeth wrote:
tricky ricky wrote:
my 7yr old daughter loves rabbit and Venison and hare and pheasent
what on earth hsa that got to do with the
article? The issue is not about not eating
meat its about the treatment of animals
before they are killed for meat.
Bet you have bought a cheap chicken
or two from the supermarket Liz.
More scope there for your lot to
protest about, or are you only
interested in posh food animals.
Who’s “you lot”? I’m not an animal rights
campaigner. All I said is I try to get meat that has
come from animals that have been treated well
before slaughter. Yes I have brought cheap chickens
in the past but, since becoming aware of the issues I
have altered my views.

Posted by: GoodramgateTerrier, York on
9:34am today
RikRock wrote:

does that sound like a
decent and wholesome association to be
linked to?
Don’t you understand the difference
between 2 organisations being linked
- and a web link (shortcut to a
website) ?

If you put up a link on your website you are
associated with the site you are linked to. it’s that
simple, you’d have to be rather silly not to
understand that point. Also in Taken for a mugs post
just above this one he mentions Gateway to Hell, a
group and site set up by an individual labelled a
domestic terrorist. You can find the link for this
website on the YAFA website as well. Association is
not implied here it is determined.

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