© Laura Callan Photography
(Written June 2007 for Portsmouth News)
By Laura Callan
When raids were carried out across the UK, Netherlands and Belgium last month, arresting 30 people, it made international news.
For Southsea Animal Action, this meant two of their full-time members being arrested in their homes in dawn swoops.
Tom Harris, 23 and Nicci Tapping, 25 were both arrested on suspicion of Conspiracy to Blackmail, and later released on police bail. Both uphold that they have never been involved in any criminal activity regarding animal rights.
Southsea Animal Action are involved with the Southern Animal Rights Coalition, and members regularly arrange marches and protests against animal cruelty. Tom Harris said of the group: “We campaign for the rights of all animals.”
Days after the raids took place the newly released campaigners attended a group meeting ready to carry on promoting their cause. Upon arrival, Tom Harris joked, “We haven’t planned anything because we’ve been arrested for the past few days”.
Talking about their current campaigns, he later said, “We’re trying to get fur out of the area, and stop the sale of foie gras in Portsmouth and Southsea. “We’re trying to work with the council and local MPs to actually get a ban on the sale of foie gras in the area”
The group are also in talks with local shopping centres Gunwharf Quays and Cascades to stop and prevent the sale of fur in the future. Fur garments are currently still being sold in the Guess and Dune stores in Gunwharf Quays.
The production of fur has been banned in the UK but is still imported from fur farms abroad. There have been many undercover investigations by animal rights supporters into the treatment of animals in fur farms. Tom told us, “The way animals are killed for fur is quite horrific: the stunning methods used are inadequate, often when they’re skinned they’re alive and fully conscious, they’re anally electrocuted, and sometimes gassed by CO2 car emissions.
“It really is a horrific industry; I’d suggest that anyone who wants to find out more visit our www.furfreesouth.com website which has a lot of information about the fur trade.” The group welcome anyone to get involved; information is available at www.sarconline.com
September 17, 2007 at 11:39 am |
I hate cruelty against animals and everyone!! I do not like people wearing fur. Why not wear false fur, etc.??
November 15, 2007 at 2:03 am |
I also hate cruelty to animals and anyone who participates in said crulety. That includes people who wear fur. THEY NEED THEIR COATS YOU DONT!!!!!!!!! If you have a heart, never wear fur. It’s as simple as that.
August 22, 2008 at 12:16 am |
I agree.. why use real fur and kill those innocent animals when you can get faux fur?!
that’s just mean.. designers can really get more varieties from faux fur..