BSL Protest - July 23rd - New York City!!

[SonicAmy]

Hey everyone,
I spoke with the administrators of the Rottweiler forum, and they were kind enough to let me join your group and be able to spread the word about our BSL protest coming up. So thanks for welcoming me here! I'm Amy Calmann and I organize the NYC Pit Bull Group, which now has close to 700 members. Here is our site.. The NEW YORK CITY PIT BULL and Pit Mix - Rescue Group (New York, NY) - Meetup.com Our group fights the stereotype of the pit bull breed, we try to get pits out of the shelters and into foster or permanent homes, and we meet every weekend at various parks throughout New York City's boroughs so we can socialize our dogs, and prevent people from giving up their pit bulls.

I have planned, along with two other people, a BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) protest to take place on Thursday July 23rd at 6:00pm in Washington Square Park. We will meet at the arch (the north side) of the park. Many people from the group have already pledged their attendance, along with several rescue groups and animal welfare groups, and we have been networking like crazy to get lots of others involved. We also have people and rescue groups coming in from out of state - NJ, CT, PA, RI, etc. And people are actually flying in from California and Washington. So far, we expect hundreds of people.

Now this is where you come in.. I am writing to make all of you guys aware of the protest, and am hopeful that you and/or some of your dog-loving friends will be able to make it to the event. Also, I wanted to ask if you would be so kind as to forward this message on to all of your friends and family. Below is the official press-release that we've sent out to newspapers, and it has already been printed in many online newsletters, forums, blogs, etc. I am incredibly grateful for any help you can provide. Thanks so much! Take care, Amy (and Patti Smith the pit bull)

P.S... On a side note, Rottweilers and pit bulls are my two favorite breeds!


NEW YORK DEMONSTRATION - NY SPEAKS OUT AGAINST BSL AND SUPPORTS "BRING BRUCE HOME" CAMPAIGN

Please join us in New York City on July 23rd to support the "Bring Bruce Home" campaign, a peaceful demonstration of protest and enlightenment. We will also be fighting the BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) ordinance that the New York Housing Authority enacted last month, which banned many different breeds from it’s public housing. We want New York City to realize that we will not allow BSL to take the lives of our animals, and we will be armed with educational tools to spread awareness about these ignorant and vicious laws.

Thousands around the world have heard of "Bruce", a young Staffordshire Bull Terrier rescued from a cardboard box off the streets of Northern Ireland. He once lived in peace with the only family he ever knew – but now lives caged in isolation - abused and neglected for the past 2 years at the hands of Northern Ireland's government. Bruce's tragedy is one of many sad tales of an innocent victim falling prey to the horrors of the Dangerous Dog Act and Breed Specific Legislation. According to the Dangerous Dogs Act in Northern Ireland, if a dog is found by the courts to be of a banned breed then it shall be destroyed.

These dogs are sentenced to die based solely on their physical characteristics, not their deeds. Bruce was not judged on his gentle-loving manner, or for being a family pet and possessing a kind nature and beautiful soul. Bruce was scheduled to be euthanized on July 6th 2009, but was granted a last minute stay of execution. His life still hangs in the balance. After this news went public, there was a massive outpouring of compassionate citizens from all over the world dedicated and united in saving Bruce's life. His fight has touched thousands and now we are reaching out to touch even more.

Bruce's family is alone, in terror, in pain, and in devastating silence. Please invite your family, friends and loved ones so that we can be a voice for the voiceless, and speak up for all of the lives lost due to Breed Specific Legislation and the Dangerous Dog Laws. We will demonstrate against what this law actually is - BREED GENOCIDE LAW. Be one among hundreds, if not thousands, who are ready and willing to stand up, to be seen, to be heard, and to make a change. We must be united in solidarity to repeal this law of inhumanity.

After the demonstration, we will end the evening by lighting a candle and joining the rest of the world as we pause (paws) shoulder to shoulder, and heart to heart in recognition for all of us fighting to "Bring Bruce Home". We are uniting to make a change for Bruce and for all dogs – so that no other dog falls victim to senseless animal cruelty, and so that all dogs already victimized by this law did not die in vain.

Meet us on Thursday July 23, 2009 at 6:00pm at the North entrance to Washington Square Park. We will be assembling in front of the arch, at 5th avenue and Waverly Pl. Directions: Take the A, B, C, D, E, F, or Q to the W. 4th St / Washington Square stop. Or take the R, W to the 8th St. stop. Or take the 6 train to the Astor Pl. stop.

Please email Amy at sonicalc727@aol.com if you have any questions. Visit the NYC Pit Bull Group website for additional information - The NEW YORK CITY PIT BULL and Pit Mix - Rescue Group (New York, NY) - Meetup.com Thank you! See you on the 23rd!!