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| Lynx Issue 26: Ringling Sponsors, Moving City Vista Speech for Animals |
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| Sunday, 21 September 2008 00:00 |
In this edition:
MARK YOUR CALENDARS....RINGLING'S COMING BACK! Yes, that's right, it almost time once again for the much-despised Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and their atrocious record of animal abuse and exploitation to make its annual appearance in Pittsburgh. Which means it will be time for us to make our annual appearance in front of the arena, protesting Ringling's shows. This year Ringling is here from Thursday, October 30th-Sunday, November 2nd (their show schedule is once again one day less than the schedule they've had in the past, a good sign of decreasing ticket sales!). We will hold our big protest demonstration on Saturday, November 1st at 5:30 PM, which is likely to be their biggest attended show. So mark your calendars for November 1st now as that date will be here before we know it. Meanwhile, we can fight Ringling in other important ways, such as through targeting their sponsors. Circuses, like all businesses, depend on their sponsors for financial support and public promotion, and if we all work to eliminate circus sponsors, eventually they are going to be left with little financial backing and support, and the animal circus industry will be one giant step closer to being eliminated. Last year Denny's restaurants was the national Ringling sponsor, and thanks to the actions and protests of activists, including a protest VFA held outside the Denny's in Robinson Township, Denny's dropped it's promotion of Ringling! Local sponsors in the past have included Giant Eagle, radio stations like STAR 100.7, and TV stations like WPXI. So far we don't know who Ringling's local or national sponsors are (they seem to keep it pretty secret until it gets closer to their actual appearance) so we need your help to find out! Keep your eyes and ears open for Ringling's promotional advertisements on TV and the radio (we know as irritating as they are to listen to), print ads in the newspapers, or banner ads on the internet for any mention of Ringling's sponsors. If you find anything, please drop us an email or voicemail and let us know! We'll make sure they hear from us. CITY VISTA UPDATE The Pittsburgh planning commission hearing for City Vista went ahead on September 9th. About a dozen residents, several taking time off work and school to attend, stood up and spoke out against the project for a multi-story luxury condo development. Several of them mentioned the wildlife issue, but none so touchingly as 10-year-old Tre Hanis whose presentation is transcribed below. Several Commissioners told Tre that they were moved by his words. They will vote on the issue at next month's hearing and we continue to hope that they will vote not to re-zone and thus not to destroy the site. "I am Tre Hanis and I am discussing wildlife today. Not long ago, my mom and I took a walk...it was a beautiful night, I heard crickets as we walked to the golf range. I looked in the sky and I could see a full moon. The moonlight beamed on the pond. I saw a breathtaking sight. Seven deer stood in the pond. The moonlight shined on their babies. I looked at my mom and she was crying. I said, What is wrong mom?" She said, "Tre this might be the last time you see these beautiful deer...someone wants to build high rises and take their homes and water away from the animals!" I asked her "What can I do? She said, "Speak for the animals!" That is why I am here today! Animals do live on this land they want to build on. See Exhibit A - a wildlife log. Animals use the water.. See Exhibit B, these pictures. If America keeps letting developers take wildlife land, we will soon be a CONCRETE JUNGLE! If I had 1.1 million...I would buy this land and make it a wildlife preservation. Here is my plan. It has gazebos, butterfly gardens, benches donated by schools, binoculars, art and photography made by kids, and animal learning stations. I don't have 1.1 million dollars. I'm just a kid with 2.00 and a dream to save the wildlife. Thank you." PALIN TO PITTSBURGH? So many of you responded to our question about who would be willing to protest Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin if she came back to Pittsburgh, we didn't even get to reply to all of you. The more we read, the more determined we are to express our outrage against Palin's anti-animal, anti-environment policies. Only four days' notice is given before a visit is made by the candidates to a city, but we are keeping our ears open, putting some ideas together and will keep you posted. In the meantime, here's an interview with University of Alaska professor Rock Steiner on the issue of Palin's opposition to the listing of polar bears as an endangered species: http://www.democracynow.org/2008/9/17/sarah_palin_and_global_warming_alaska (video, audio and text versions provided) RABBIT TRAPPER VOLUNTEERS URGENTLY NEEDED! We are passing this message on behalf of our friends at Pittsburgh House Rabbit Club, who do an incredible job working on rabbit rescue. If you can help, please email Mary Cvetan at the email provided. Help! Someone released a domestic rabbit near Duck Hollow. We are trying to rescue him (or her) before the parasites, predators or cold nights beat us to it. If you live near Duck Hollow -- or use the hiking/biking trail there -- and want to help, please email me at the email listed below. Domestic rabbits come from Spain. They don't have the instincts to survive outside in Pennsylvania. They usually die of starvation or dehydration. Thanks very much for helping. Mary Cvetan Co-founder, Pittsburgh House Rabbit Club This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it SHELTER FOR TIGER RANCH CATS STILL NEEDS SUPPLIES Just a quick reminder that the Clarion Shelter that is caring for the cats rescued from Tiger Ranch still needs donated supplies. Their list of needs includes bleach, paper towels, cat litter, and cat food. As always, you can drop off donations locally at the two collection bins set up at Construction Junction (Point Breeze)-the bins are to the right after the entrance, behind the blackboard. Thanks to everyone who continues to donate! "BATTLE IN SEATTLE" COMING TO PITTSBURGH A full-length feature film on the mass protests held against the World Trade Organization / Globalization in Seattle in 1999 is scheduled to come to Pittsburgh (Southside Works) on Friday September 26th. Not having seen the movie, we're reserving our judgment on how the events and issues are handled, but you can visit the official site at: http://www.battleinseattlemovie.com |