Call to Action - Rodeo ban fight not over - saboteurs poised to vote against ban at next vote

Ban the Rodeo Rally 12/5/23

spcaLA Applauds Los Angeles City Council Vote to Ban Rodeos and particularly thanks Councilmember Blumenfield for his efforts and dedication to this reform. I was honored to be asked to speak at both the rally and before the council.

But the fight is not over yet. There will still be a chance to sabotage this effort when the ordinance is actually drafted and presented to the council for another vote. Councilmembers Monica Rodriguez and Kevin De Leon are still vocally against this measure, are still insisting tripping horses etc., is a cultural thing, and will not be satisfied with the exemption language that was adopted at their request. It is possible that they will lead an effort to undo what was passed yesterday. (Exceptions for equestrian and cultural events, as long as riders do not participate in activities that physically “take down” an animal, rope an animal, or attempt to ride a bucking animal, i.e. bareback bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping, and steer wrestling, and or course violation existing laws.)

Look, this is about greed and nothing else. No culture wants to be associated with violence and gratuitous cruelty. What an insulting rationale. Like dogfighters who protest that their pet dogs are treated like royalty, rodeo riders would never subject their own horses to the horrendous treatment of the horse performers. The difference - is the fighting dogs and the rodeo horses are just tools to earn money while providing "entertainment".

    "Racism, economic deprival, dog fighting and cock fighting, bullfighting and RODEOS (emphasis added) are cut from the same fabric:  violence.  Only when we have become nonviolent towards all life will we have learned to live well ourselves."

                --Cesar Chavez, UNITED FARM WORKERS, from a 12/26/90 letter to ACTION FOR ANIMALS

spcaLA asks animal welfare advocates to contact their Council Members, see below,  in support of the ban. A successful rodeo ban would add Los Angeles to a growing list of cities and countries like San Francisco and Pasadena, as well as Germany, the Netherlands and Brazil, where rodeo has been outlawed.

Council District 1 – Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, Councilmember.Hernandez@lacity.org, 213-473-7001

Council District 2 – Councilmember Paul Krekorian, Councilmember.Krekorian@lacity.org, 213-473-7002 

Council District 3 – Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, Councilmember.Blumenfield@lacity.org, 213-473-7003 

Council District 4 – Councilmember Nithya Raman, Councilmember.Raman@lacity.org, 213-473-7004 

Council District 5 – Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky, Councilmember.Yaroslavsky@lacity.org, 213-473-7005

Council District 6 – Councilmember Imelda Padilla, Councilmember.Padilla@lacity.org, 213-473-7006 

Council District 7 – Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, Councilmember.Rodriguez@lacity.org, 213-473-7007 

Council District 8 – Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Councilmember.Harris-Dawson@lacity.org, 213-473-7008

 Council District 9 – Councilmember Curren D. Price, Jr., Councilmember.Price@lacity.org, 213-473-7009 

Council District 10 – Councilmember Heather Hutt, Councilmember.Hutt@lacity.org, 213-473-7010 

Council District 11 – Councilmember Traci Park, Councilmember.Park@lacity.org, 213-473-7011 

Council District 12 – Councilmember John Lee, Councilmember.Lee@lacity.org, 213-473-7012 

Council District 13 – Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez, Councilmember.Soto-Martinez@lacity.org, 213-473-7013 

Council District 14 – Councilmember Kevin de León, councilmember.kevindeleon@lacity.org, 213-473-7014 

Council District 15 – Councilmember Tim McOsker, Councilmember.McOsker@lacity.org, 213-473-7015

 

Desecrated longhorn steer found in Oklahoma in advance of Oklahoma state vs. Texas Longhorns game

In a horrific and unsettling turn of events, the body of a desecrated longhorn steer was discovered this morning on the front steps of an Oklahoma State University fraternity in Stillwater, OK. As disturbing images of the steer circulate, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) condemns these acts and calls for a thorough investigation by the police department, the University’s Office of Student Support and Conduct, and the National Interfraternity Council (IFC) so that there are meaningful consequences for those responsible.

Many are speculating that this disgusting act of animal cruelty and disrespect for living beings may be in response to an upcoming football game between OSU and The University of Texas. UT’s mascot is a longhorn steer.

Regardless if this is because of a football game, “Texas Hate Week” or something more nefarious, this is a criminal act and must not be brushed aside.

Also – do we need a “hate week’? Do we need institutionalized vandalism?

There is only 1 correct answer….