We had virtually a full coach to Dover on Saturday 3rd Feb where we joined around 200 fellow campaigners on this sad occasion. We listened to Joyce da Silva, Director of Compassion in World Farming and other speakers before a minute`s silence was held remembering Jill and the millions of animals that have been, and still are being trucked through Dover. Masses of beautiful flowers were then laid on the island at the approach to the docks and every available area decorated with hundreds of purple ribbons - we hope they were seen by the driver of the empty animal transporter spotted hurtling out of the docks later that afternoon!

Noticing that the side entrance to the docks had been left open and unmanned, we decided to round off our day with an impromptu march into the docks - banners to the fore!! As was to be expected the police were a bit put out by this display of disobedience and decided to get their own back by refusing to allow our coach driver to pick us up (under threat of arrest!) at our designated pick-up point.
A few stalwarts managed the very long walk back to the coach where they told the motorcycle police guarding it in no uncertain terms that, unless they allowed the driver to return to the original pick-up point, where everybody else including our disabled passengers was waiting, they would be answerable. It didn`t take them long to realise that we really meant what we said. Very begrudgingly they ordered us on board and then escorted the coach to where it should have been in the first place.

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