Protest at Craig Saunder's Farm

Well what a day, so glad that many people turned up for the protest, got all my disks to work this time and got pics of Clive and Lee-Ann for you. We must have hit a nerve though because the cops arrived today supposedly to check that we were safe next to the road. Some people did walk up to the gates of the property and were met by I believe Craig Saunders's brother, but I am not sure, apparently Saunders was not there to speak to us and this guy had such a "stuff off and die attitude", have pic. Not long after everyone was up there giving him hell the cops blocked of the road so that traffic would not pass the protest. The question is why??

We were having a peaceful protest so why would they not want people to see us or know why we were there? They basically killed the protest by doing this because nobody was passing us to see what we were doing. They also called for re-enforcements, why, I have no idea. Who has that much influence to have the cops block off a public road? Anyway, everyone decided to leave and join the concert after that. They seem to still be putting up fences around the property but no one could really see what the main property looks like or the area were the ellies are going to be. Who knows how big the area is or how good the facility is.

I am also sending you a letter that Saunders put up. He first welcomes us and then preaches, and if he has been trying for 11 months and knew about the abuse why did he not lobby support to help him get the ellies removed long ago. If he has been involved with Ghiazza and if he has supported him then maybe he should read what he preached again, because as he said to us "the LORD hates a false witness who pours out lies, and HE hates hands that shed innocent blood." He should also realise that we do really care, so much so that we are protesting and WILL NOT STOP FIGHTING UNTIL THESE ELLIES ARE
FREE!!!!!

We were there again today - doing our bit - this time at Craig Saunders establishment. On my arrival - I was late - had to make photostats for Jane Garrison, for the concert - I was greeted by a traffic policeman who had taken it upon himself to close the road - on asking him where the elephant protest was I was told that the road to the protest was closed - I had a car full of children and couldn't swear - so took a very small short cut - through the bottle store grounds and off down the road to the protest. I can assure you that should you or anyone be mugged, raped, or murdered we would not have as many policemen around as there was today - at a peaceful demo. The situation was 'suspect' and astounding to say the least. I want to know - who gave that policeman the authority to close the road? I find the situation highly questionable and I would like an answer from the Brits police - not the answer we got today - that-' it was for our own protection'- for those that remember- sounds like the old Kris Kristofferson song - ' The law is for the protection of the people' - for heavens sake - don't have a crisis in Brits they're too busy looking after 'other things' !

As for Craig Saunders - he has admitted being at the Giazzhi enclosure on a regular basis - if he could not see that the elephants were being abused then he definitely does not deserve to have custody of them - as the vet who was seeing to the elephants - as far as I am concerned they are accessories to the abuse and should be treated - by the law - as such. The bottom line is - were the elephants abused or not? Yes, they were, and the vet, all the 'hangers on' , Wayne, the mahouts and top of the list - Giazzhi - are answerable to the law and the people of S,A. These people saw what was going on and watched it happen! Do not support the South African Veterinary Association of South Africa website until they come up with an acceptable answer from Giazzhi's vet. I can tell you that a large portion of the vets in this country will not support that website either. Don't forget the judge - that said he doesn't have enough evidence to convict the Italian. Please continue to support Daphne Sheldrick - she had the courage, along with Carte Blanche, to screen the video - we must keep things going until the matter is resolved - to our satisfaction.
Don't forget the date of the court case - 23/7/99