The Manchester Hilton Greyhound protest
Over 350 people attended the International protest on January 26th 2014
The Greyhound Board of Great Britain held their annual awards ceremony inside
Manchesters Deansgate, Hilton Hotel
While the champagne flowed inside the tears flowed outside during the one minutes silence held in respect of a million plus greyhounds killed at the bloody hands of the racing industry since 1926.
The Greyhound Board of Great Britain held their annual awards ceremony inside
Manchesters Deansgate, Hilton Hotel
While the champagne flowed inside the tears flowed outside during the one minutes silence held in respect of a million plus greyhounds killed at the bloody hands of the racing industry since 1926.
People travelled from across the world to be present at this demonstration, to pay their respects for the million plus dogs that have died at the hands of the racing industry since 1926.
Around 150 protesters were expected to attend, but instead there was an attendance of a staggering 380 people! All ages and all backgrounds yet these people had one thing in common which created a unity, they all had knowledge of the plight of the greyhound, the misery caused to these highly sensitive dogs by those yearning for profit, the corruption and horrors concealed behind the industry and masked by a legislation that is full of holes.
Ordinary people have brought these dogs into their homes and experienced the love and sensitivity of the greyhound, they have seen the scars both physical and mental, held them through the nightmares and in time nursed them back to health and wellbeing. These people were the majority at this demonstration, they were the heart and soul. Amongst the greyhound owners where those who have devoted their lives to work in rescue and have seen the conditions these dogs are kept in, there was even those who have turned their backs on their jobs in the racing industry, due to the cruelty they have witnessed.
The atmosphere was amazing, although bad weather was predicted everything fell in favour of the dogs, the weather, the location, the support from everyone involved and the very many passing by, on foot and on transport.
The ambulances rang their sirens, cars beeped their horns, people signed petitions and stopped to take leaflets and view the beautiful display which was contributed to, by people from all over the globe.
The display was made up of over 600 hundred white calla lillies laced with purple ribbon, each lilly represented a person who could not attend the demonstration, each lilly had a name and short message attached.
The idea of the lillies came to mind just one month prior to the date of the demo and as soon as the idea was shared on the website, floods of orders began coming in, with lovely messages from all over the world. Many were from people who had adopted greyhounds and were too far away to attend, or had young children or dogs that they could not leave behind, others were from greyhound rescuers and other animal protection organisations who wanted to pay their respects, they thanked us for giving them the opportunity to have a flower laid on their behalf.
With the help of Kieras occasions and all the people who contacted us to purchase a flower, we were able to produce a lovely display of good quality artificial lillies in respect of all the dogs past and present.
A flag displaying all 70 countries of where people had contacted us from, was held over the lillies, candles were placed at the base of a headstone which was especially created by Artist Jenny, who runs a Manchester based business ‘Jenny Parsley Pie Art Club’
The headstone
Around 150 protesters were expected to attend, but instead there was an attendance of a staggering 380 people! All ages and all backgrounds yet these people had one thing in common which created a unity, they all had knowledge of the plight of the greyhound, the misery caused to these highly sensitive dogs by those yearning for profit, the corruption and horrors concealed behind the industry and masked by a legislation that is full of holes.
Ordinary people have brought these dogs into their homes and experienced the love and sensitivity of the greyhound, they have seen the scars both physical and mental, held them through the nightmares and in time nursed them back to health and wellbeing. These people were the majority at this demonstration, they were the heart and soul. Amongst the greyhound owners where those who have devoted their lives to work in rescue and have seen the conditions these dogs are kept in, there was even those who have turned their backs on their jobs in the racing industry, due to the cruelty they have witnessed.
The atmosphere was amazing, although bad weather was predicted everything fell in favour of the dogs, the weather, the location, the support from everyone involved and the very many passing by, on foot and on transport.
The ambulances rang their sirens, cars beeped their horns, people signed petitions and stopped to take leaflets and view the beautiful display which was contributed to, by people from all over the globe.
The display was made up of over 600 hundred white calla lillies laced with purple ribbon, each lilly represented a person who could not attend the demonstration, each lilly had a name and short message attached.
The idea of the lillies came to mind just one month prior to the date of the demo and as soon as the idea was shared on the website, floods of orders began coming in, with lovely messages from all over the world. Many were from people who had adopted greyhounds and were too far away to attend, or had young children or dogs that they could not leave behind, others were from greyhound rescuers and other animal protection organisations who wanted to pay their respects, they thanked us for giving them the opportunity to have a flower laid on their behalf.
With the help of Kieras occasions and all the people who contacted us to purchase a flower, we were able to produce a lovely display of good quality artificial lillies in respect of all the dogs past and present.
A flag displaying all 70 countries of where people had contacted us from, was held over the lillies, candles were placed at the base of a headstone which was especially created by Artist Jenny, who runs a Manchester based business ‘Jenny Parsley Pie Art Club’
The headstone
In Memory of over a million greyhounds used, abused and
destroyed at the hands of the racing industry
Unseen they suffer
Unheard they cry
In agony they linger
In loneliness they die
With our eyes ~ they will be seen
With our voice ~ they will be heard
With our hands ~ they will know comfort
With our action ~ they will be free
destroyed at the hands of the racing industry
Unseen they suffer
Unheard they cry
In agony they linger
In loneliness they die
With our eyes ~ they will be seen
With our voice ~ they will be heard
With our hands ~ they will know comfort
With our action ~ they will be free
Members of the Greyhound racing fraternity who attended the awards ceremony
As members of the Greyhound fraternity arrived they were forced to walk past the protesters, even those who arrived in cars could not escape the glaring eyes and angry voices of those who look down at them in disgust.
The protesters certainly gave them a welcome that they would not forget in a hurry.
380 people chanting anti-racing slogans at the top of their voices drowned out any responses made by the profit makers.
One profit maker in particular decided to exit his taxi and give a finger sign to the crowds, but these protesters were not fools and new the dirty antic behind the act, provocation at its best failed.
A nearby police officer rushed the profit maker off and seemed to be very annoyed at the stupidity shown by him, it looked as though he was given a good telling off and rightly so.
As members of the Greyhound fraternity arrived they were forced to walk past the protesters, even those who arrived in cars could not escape the glaring eyes and angry voices of those who look down at them in disgust.
The protesters certainly gave them a welcome that they would not forget in a hurry.
380 people chanting anti-racing slogans at the top of their voices drowned out any responses made by the profit makers.
One profit maker in particular decided to exit his taxi and give a finger sign to the crowds, but these protesters were not fools and new the dirty antic behind the act, provocation at its best failed.
A nearby police officer rushed the profit maker off and seemed to be very annoyed at the stupidity shown by him, it looked as though he was given a good telling off and rightly so.
"The event united young and old, rich and poor and brought people from many different countries. Everyone there last night and those who held events in their own way are part of a strong community of like-minded people who will share their outrage and disgust at the legalised animal abuse that is greyhound racing and help put a massive dent in the wallets of those involved and campaign for justice for the poor greys who are exploited."
'Written by one of our supporters'
'Written by one of our supporters'
Photographs by Gill Plumridge
Greyhound protection groups from around the globe showed solidarity on this special day.
It is heartwarming to think of how many Greyhound protection groups contacted us to tell us how they were organising parallel events
ProGreyhound in Germany
http://www.progreyhound.de/
Thank you to our friends in Germany for making this day very special and for raising awareness around the globe.
http://www.progreyhound.de/
Thank you to our friends in Germany for making this day very special and for raising awareness around the globe.
Pet Levrieri in Italy
http://www.petlevrieri.it/2014/01/28/oltre-manchester/
On January 26, 2014 in Manchester, during the Gala industry of racing, there was a big international event of protest, organized by the major British organizations contrary to the races and the exploitation of the greyhound . In conjunction with inizioalle 16 hours in Milan in Piazza Meda was held a protest vigil in parallel and in other cities of Italy: Piazza 8 Agosto in Bologna, Waterfront promenade in Viareggio and square in Reggio Calabria, Italy, organized by the Pet Greyhounds non-profit organization of Milan www.petlevrieri.it
Thank you to the members of Pet Levrieri who travelled to Manchester to take part in the International demonstration and to those of you who organised parallel vigils around Italy
http://www.petlevrieri.it/2014/01/28/oltre-manchester/
On January 26, 2014 in Manchester, during the Gala industry of racing, there was a big international event of protest, organized by the major British organizations contrary to the races and the exploitation of the greyhound . In conjunction with inizioalle 16 hours in Milan in Piazza Meda was held a protest vigil in parallel and in other cities of Italy: Piazza 8 Agosto in Bologna, Waterfront promenade in Viareggio and square in Reggio Calabria, Italy, organized by the Pet Greyhounds non-profit organization of Milan www.petlevrieri.it
Thank you to the members of Pet Levrieri who travelled to Manchester to take part in the International demonstration and to those of you who organised parallel vigils around Italy
BIG THANK YOU TO DOGS TODAY MAGAZINE WHO GAVE US MASSIVE SUPPORT BY PUBLISHING THE BELOW ARTICLE IN THEIR MONTHLY ISSUE, ALSO THANK YOU TO LUSH WHO HAVE SUPPORTED MANY OF OUR CAMPAIGNS.
Thank you to the below groups who supported the protest
Realidad del Galgo en Argentina
Realidad
del Galgo en Argentina
Showed support from Argentina and advertised the event on Facebook.
Realidad
del Galgo en Argentina
Showed support from Argentina and advertised the event on Facebook.
International animal rescue federation
http://international-animalrescue-foundation.org.uk/
Support also shown from the International Animal Rescue Federation who advertised the event on Facebook
http://international-animalrescue-foundation.org.uk/
Support also shown from the International Animal Rescue Federation who advertised the event on Facebook
Lost and Fond Pet Memorials Online have shared many of our Campaigns including the event on their website
http://www.lostandfond.co.uk/
http://www.lostandfond.co.uk/
Animal Aid http://www.animalaid.org.uk/h/n/AA/HOME/
Animal Aid have showed masses of support and included the event on their diary as well as advertising on their website and Facebook.
Animal Aid have showed masses of support and included the event on their diary as well as advertising on their website and Facebook.
Special thank you;
To all the below greyhound protection campaign groups who united at this event and for each making a very special speech.
Greytexploitations 'Trudy Baker' and their members. 'Speech read
by Aileen Ward' http://greytexploitations.com/
Pet Levrieri and their members who travelled all the way from Italy 'Speech read by Isobel Deeley' http://www.petlevrieri.it/
Ronnie Lee and his wife Louise (Formerly Greyhound Action and the first greyhound protection group in the UK who went on to inspire others to help the greys). 'Speech read by Ronnie Lee'
Thank you to all the people that united to make this day one we will never forget
All protesters who came along to be a voice for the greyhounds. We are aware people travelled from all over the UK and many had commitments that they had to work around.
Including members of some greyhound rescue centers and other animal campaign groups such as C.A.R.I.A.D and Essex Animal Defenders
The protesters who came along early and helped us to set up and also to those who distributed leaflets and gathered signatures throughout and prior to the demonstration
All those who donated to Caged and purchased lillies in respect of the greyhounds that have lost their lives
Kieras Occasions from St Helens, Merseyside, who supplied us with the lillies and to Angela Casale and Gemma Krzesinska for helping to arrange them.
Jenny Parsley Pie Art Club from Manchester who created an amazing headstone at no cost to us.
Wolfgang and his friend who came along to sing a very special song in respect of the dogs that have died
The Manchester Police force who kindly contacted us, to liase throughout organising the protest. Despite recent government cuts depriving them of much needed resources, they still remained calm and managed to do an excellent job on the day
A successful event due to the help and support of you!!
To all the below greyhound protection campaign groups who united at this event and for each making a very special speech.
Greytexploitations 'Trudy Baker' and their members. 'Speech read
by Aileen Ward' http://greytexploitations.com/
Pet Levrieri and their members who travelled all the way from Italy 'Speech read by Isobel Deeley' http://www.petlevrieri.it/
Ronnie Lee and his wife Louise (Formerly Greyhound Action and the first greyhound protection group in the UK who went on to inspire others to help the greys). 'Speech read by Ronnie Lee'
Thank you to all the people that united to make this day one we will never forget
All protesters who came along to be a voice for the greyhounds. We are aware people travelled from all over the UK and many had commitments that they had to work around.
Including members of some greyhound rescue centers and other animal campaign groups such as C.A.R.I.A.D and Essex Animal Defenders
The protesters who came along early and helped us to set up and also to those who distributed leaflets and gathered signatures throughout and prior to the demonstration
All those who donated to Caged and purchased lillies in respect of the greyhounds that have lost their lives
Kieras Occasions from St Helens, Merseyside, who supplied us with the lillies and to Angela Casale and Gemma Krzesinska for helping to arrange them.
Jenny Parsley Pie Art Club from Manchester who created an amazing headstone at no cost to us.
Wolfgang and his friend who came along to sing a very special song in respect of the dogs that have died
The Manchester Police force who kindly contacted us, to liase throughout organising the protest. Despite recent government cuts depriving them of much needed resources, they still remained calm and managed to do an excellent job on the day
A successful event due to the help and support of you!!