LCA & Allied Organizations Demand Cancellation of LA Pro Bull Riding Event
Issue Letter to Staples Center & PBR Sponsors; Plan Onsite Protest
Dear John,
LCA and a coalition of animal rights organizations have submitted a written demand to the operators of the Staples Center calling on them to cancel their plans to host the Professional Bull Riders' (PBR) "Unleash the Beast" tour in February.
The letter—which was cosigned by Animal Defenders International, In Defense of Animals, Los Angeles Animal Save, Orange County Animal Liberation, and SHARK—illustrated the inherent cruelties the "sport" of bull riding entails, including using tools of torment (spurs, flank straps, and 5,000-volt electric prods) in order to encourage aggressive bucking in generally docile bulls. As a result, bulls suffer horrific psychological and physical traumas like broken limbs, torn ligaments, cardiac arrest, and more. The events are also potentially fatal for human participants.
"Rodeos and rodeo-type activities like bull riding are outdated and barbaric pastimes that exploit and abuse animals for the perverse pleasure of the audience," said Chris DeRose, President and Founder of LCA. "Just because a bull can withstand the abuse does not mean the bull should have to endure it for fun and profit."
LCA and the aforementioned organizations also sent a letter to PBR's sponsors urging them to stop sponsoring the exhibition of animal cruelty. If the Staples Center does not cancel the event, the coalition has planned a formal protest at the arena. Protesters from the aforementioned organizations, as well as PETA, Direct Action Everywhere, CompassionWorks International, and Chino Cow Save, will be in attendance.
Help put a stop to PBR's barbaric display of animal cruelty!
JOIN LCA'S BULL RIDING PROTEST
WHAT:LCA's Protest of PBR's Iron Cowboy competition—(Click here for LCA's event page.) WHEN: Saturday, February 8, 2020, 5 pm - 7 pm WHERE: Staples Center - 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015
* Protesters will meet at the corner of S. Figueroa Street and Chick Hearn Court. (Click here for map) * Free "Stop Bull Riding" t-shirts will be given out to the first 150 protesters!
* Posters, banners, and handouts will also be provided. * We are currently looking for volunteers to assist with this event. If you are interested in volunteering for LCA at this bull riding protest please contact [email protected].
Click here to sign the petition urging the LA City Council to ban rodeos and rodeo-type activities in the city of Los Angeles!
CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS
If you live in Los Angeles: Email your elected officials and urge them to ban rodeos and rodeo-type activities in the city of Los Angeles. Find your LA City Council member here: http://neighborhoodinfo.lacity.org. You can use the following sample text to draft your email:
Dear Council Member [Last Name],
I am writing to ask that you support a ban on rodeos and rodeo-type activities in the city of Los Angeles.
Rodeos and rodeo-type events are exhibitions of animal cruelty that are sanctioned in the guise of competition. They employ the use of tools of torment — including spurs, tight flank straps, and 5,000-volt electric prods — in order to encourage bucking and aggressiveness and often result in severe psychological and physical traumas including anxiety attacks, broken limbs, and even death for the animals involved.
A growing number of jurisdictions have already prohibited or restricted rodeos — including San Francisco, CA and Pasadena, CA — and I respectfully urge the city of Los Angeles, a leader in protecting the rights and welfare of animals to do the same.
