Russell Simmons, Al Sharpton, and PETA have joined together to create an interesting anti-dog-fighting trio. They sent an open letter to Michael Vick’s sponsors, the NFL commissioner, and the Atlanta Falcons CEO condemning dog-fighting but going kind of soft on Vick, in my opinion. I guess there’s that whole innocent-until-proven-guilty roadblock.
Click here if you’re interested in signing a petition, although I don’t see what petitioning something that’s already illegal will do. Read the full letter after the jump.
The recent media spotlight on dogfighting reminds us of society’s callous disregard for the
suffering of animals and disrespect for sentient beings. We hope that Mr. Vick is not a product of
this insensitivity that runs through our society.
Whether through the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, the National Action Network, the
Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
(PETA), we believe in being agents of social change who responsibly and proactively fight the
war against poverty and injustice and against ignorance and cruelty. Our battle must extend to
those innocent animals who literally have no voice or choice.
It does us little good to prosecute just those who are famous and allow people across the country
to continue to commit these hideous crimes.
We are hopeful that authorities will take the appropriate action against anyone found guilty of an
atrocity as serious as dogfighting, and we will evaluate and monitor the prosecutors and judges
responsible for protecting the innocent and helpless. Every animal has the right to live without
fear and pain. It is our job to do whatever we can to ensure this basic right for all animals, and
we intend to do just that! Let’s give law enforcement and animal welfare professionals, who are
on the front lines of battling violence and cruelty in every form, our active support in their quest
to elevate our society.
Today, we sound a clarion call to all people: Stand up for what is right, and speak out against
what is wrong. Dogfighting is unacceptable. Hurting animals for human pleasure or gain is
despicable. Cruelty is just plain wrong.Russell Simmons, RUSH Communications
Rev. Al Sharpton, Nationl Action Network
Ingrid E. Newkirk, PETA
PETA has also posted a petition asking that the NFL immediately suspend Vick;
http://getactive.peta.org/campaign/afalcons_vick_2
Wow. I saw PETA coming, but not the others, and surely not so fast. Has this boy ruined his career (life?) with this, or what?? Good to see the Rev. putting his weight to good use this time though. However I am interested to know how this alliance came to be? Has PETA and the hip hop action network hooked up in the past? Russell Simmons is a member of PETA?
Is this an issue? Russell is very pro-animal rights. If I remember correctly, he had a different fridge from Kimora’s so his food wouldn’t be near her animal products. He also campaigned against KFC during that scandal a few years back. Funny how he married a veal eating, chinchilla and leather wearing chick.
Al Sharpton also campaigned against KFC that time.
Is dog fighting really an issue? I have NEVER even seen one. I’ve seen them on TV shows and movies. I’ve heard about it on the news maybe twice ever. Does there need to be a campaign, or am I just blissfully unaware of this problem?
Daria - Dog fighting (and cock fighting) is an issue for ni**as. The only people I have ever known to do it are run away slave types. You have to go deep in the hood to see that type of mess, but is does exist. When I was in college one of my neighbors had a pit that he would fight. The dog apparently was prone to fighting with his left paw, so homeboy let his nails grow super long on that paw. Ni**erish behavior. That was the last time I have ever seen/heard of it though.
I didn’t know that about Russell.
BMD-i love your frankness. you put it so well!
An Irish-American, but this is a pretty interesting site. I just thought I’d post to add this link,as it is tough to get hard info on the Vick situation
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/a.....vick1.html
This has a copy of the actual indictment. So at least people will know exactly what is alleged.
Just read the indictment myself. Without commenting on guilt or innocence of Vick himself, it’s a pretty ugly thing.
A few things in response to Daria’s comments -
1) Dogfighting is, sadly, much more widespread than the vast majority of people know. A survey in Chicago found that - I think it was - one in four schoolchildren was actively involved in dog fighting. It’s really on the rise, but the media is too busy painting the dogs as T-rex’s in furry suits to notice (that’s a whole other discussion: the pathology of the media, but look how they treat minorities and you’ll understand).
For more on dogfighting culture, history, associated criminal activity and the true victims: see http://www.animallaw.info/arti.....hting.htm. Scroll down to get to the report. Sections 3-5 are the most relevant to this discussion.
Whether or not Vick is guilty or gets convicted, please use this opportunity to pressure your local lawmakers to combat dog fighting.
2) this may seem like hair-splitting, but I think there’s an important difference between “animal rights” and “animal welfare”. Animal Rights people want to do away with “companion animals” and, to some extent, give animals equal footing with people. “AR” people are seen as being somewhat more radical than Animal Welfare types, who are more concerned with making sure that people treat animals humanely, but may not have an issue with the idea that people “own” animals.
Peace.
Russell Simmons never ceases to amaze me as a human being. I love that he so often uses his considerable clout in the entertainment world to push for positive change! He definitely practices the Buddhist philosphy.
Having Simmons and Rev Sharpton getting behind this cause, brings attention to the greater issue of cruelty of dog fighting b/c this could easily become a racial debate.
Interestingly, not once public comment was made by Vick about the cruelty of dog fighting. If the man was truly innocent, shouldn’t he be horrified by what they found on property he owned?