Protesting the 'Canadian Finals Rodeo'

It was a chillingly cold and snowy day for a protest, however, the cruelty that these animals endure on the rodeo circuit are beyond cruel and inhumane, and being out in the cold is nothing compared to what these beings are subjected to day after day for their entire lives. Little baby calves who haven't even been weaned yet, are treated as mere objects for the 'calf roping event'. This entails riding on a horse and throwing a rope around the calves neck, and then jumping off the horse and slamming them to the ground and wrapping the rest of the rope around three of it's four legs. The participant that finishes with the fastest time is declared the winner of that specific event. Just the day before our protest, a baby calf had to be euthanized on the spot as it was badly injured in an event that went horribly wrong. A participant of the rodeo stated "Quickly the calf was treated humanely, and was out of the arena and cared for by our on-sight staff and veterinarian in the most humane procedures that we have." In his quote, he's justifying that the calf was given the best care possible, but that's not the point, the point is that this specific event shouldn't even exist, and neither should the entire fucking rodeo for that matter. If the roles were reversed and little baby toddlers who were only a few weeks old were used as mere objects for sport; this alone would cause a massive outrage and be world wide news. But because they are non-human person's, they don't matter. It's an outrageous double standard, and a true knock on humanity, especially the participants and people who pay to watch it.


Now I didn't realize until after the protest that there was so much money to be made at an event such as the 'Canadian Final's Rodeo'. I believe there was a total of $1.5 million dollars at stake for the winner's of various events during the four day rodeo, that occurs every year in the month of November. It's just another unfortunate example of human beings exploiting animals out of mere entertainment and greed. I have to say that of all the protests i've ever been to, and including my time on the front lines in Taiji, Japan, i've never witnessed so much resentment and hostility toward a peaceful group of activists. They were yelling obscenities at us as they crossed the busy street, even people in their cars driving by would roll down their windows and try to get a rise out of us, or just shake their heads out of disgust. They certainly feel like no harm is being done to these animals, even though a baby calf had to be put down the night before. One older gentleman who was traveling to the event by cab rolled down his window and said, "It's the best sport in the world." I didn't say anything back, I rarely do. However, I was thinking he must be some what aloof to the other professional sports that happen without the exploitation of animals, such as hockey or football.

I  really don't know if we succeeded in changing anyone's opinion on the issue of animal exploitation in the rodeo, but one can hope. If even one mind is changed, then that is a success. Regardless on the outcome, we have to continue to speak up and lend our voice for the innocent beings who deserve to be free from the confines of such a vile industry.

“To me, you’re either an activist or an inactivist.” - Louie Psihoyos

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. A big thanks to voice for animals, and for the dedicated activists whom braved that chilly weather. Thanks also to the very dedicated activists, Anna, Sara and Val. It was great to protest with you all once again.

Damian


Below is a very short video news link on our protest.
http://globalnews.ca/video/957727/cfr-protests

(Photo was taken by 'Voice for Animal's') 

Japan Dolphin's Day 2013

Sir Winston Church Hill Square in Edmonton's downtown core was once again host for this years protest against Taiji, Japan's annual 'dolphin drive hunt', occurring every year from Sept. 1st - end of March. We were just one of over a hundred other protests happening in unison, in five different continents and numerous cities from around the world, all with the same goal, of letting the world know once again, about the continued massacre of innocent dolphins and whales in the small Southern coastal town of Taiji.  For those unaware, Taiji, Japan has been in the spotlight since 2003 when two activists from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Alex Cornelissen and Allison Lance dove into the water of the now 'infamous' Cove, and cut the nets releasing 15 dolphins that had been held captive. For their part in this matter, both Alex and Alison were arrested and spent 23 days in a Japanese prison before being released. Since this time, there have been numerous activists from around the world who have flooded to Taiji to take part in a campaign to help end the dolphin slaughter. There has also been a documentary made by director Louie Psihoyos entitled "The Cove", (Free Link http://www.putlocker.com/file/33A3CA931BAC1CF5#) which won the 2010 Academy Award for best documentary as it showcases the atrocities and exploitation being committed against these innocent citizens of the sea by a small group of fisherman.

This year's protest consisted of fifteen or so dedicated individuals who care deeply about this issue. We may have been a small group compared to many other protests, however, we certainly made a difference in my opinion on bringing attention to this issue through just our mere presence alone. We had people come up to us from coffee shops and as they were passing by asking us what we were protesting. It's great to be able to answer questions and educate others who are unaware of this issue facing dolphins. Especially here in Edmonton where it's a very right wing conservative, oil driven community that cares deeply about economic growth, but lacks concern for their environment. Obviously there are people in this city who care about the environment and all it's beings and dedicate their time to help. But as a whole, this city really does have a blatant disregard for their natural surroundings and the animals who are part of it. The 'tar sands' is only a five hour drive northeast of the city, so being a tree-hugger and advocating for animal rights and the environment in 'oil country', definitely has it's fair share of challenges.

I can't tell you how many times I've been at the grocery store or at a mall waiting in line to pay, and people ask me about sea shepherd because of the shirt on my back, and I always talk about the 'plight of the dolphins' in Taiji, and yet nobody seems to know what's going on. The' Cove' has been out for almost four years now, and people here have never heard of it. It's astonishing to me, and also a realization that protests on the regular are needed here to help educate, and also to bring awareness on the issue of captivity and swim with the dolphin programs and what they can do to help.

I would like to thank all the dedicated and compassionate individuals who came out to this years protest. I know that each and everyone of them will be at the next one.

"You may never know what results come of your actions, but if you do nothing there will be no results." - Mahatma Gandhi

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.

Damian

Below is a link to a video interview I did with Doug Brinkman of 'Civil Information Activism'. (CIActivist.org) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsskvn1JaqY

A screening of "Sharkwater"

Wednesday Aug. 7th was a great night for a screening. The weather was nice, the sun was out, and all of us here at Fin Free Edmonton were extremely excited for the event. A lot of hard work went into organizing this special screening of 'Sharkwater' directed by Rob Stewart, from talking to radio stations, to handing out flyers, as well as organizing and manning the merchandise stand at the event.  It was a big team effort and everyone came through with shinning colors. I've been involved with Fin Free Edmonton for over six months now, and it's been a really great experience thus far. Everyone on the team are concerned about the threat and depletion of the oceans, and are dedicated to making a difference one step at a time to conserve and protect biodiversity starting with sharks.

I would like to thank everyone over at United Conservationists for giving us the rights in order to screen the film, as well as the Garneau theatre for being such a gracious host.

It really was a great event, and the film definitely speaks for itself. I truly believe it’s the best documentary of it’s kind on giving viewers an in depth look into the rapid depletion of shark populations due to the “finning industry”, as well as a lot of insight into the misconception of sharks and how important they are to us as a species, as well as how important they are for the balance of the oceans and all other life for whom we share this planet with. If you haven’t seen this film, you definitely need to. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI1YBCMqbik (free link online).

A big thanks to everyone who came out and supported our cause. I sincerely hope that each person who attended left with some knowledge on the issues facing our oceans, and what they can do to help. Just because we don't live near an ocean here in Edmonton, doesn't mean we're not affected by what happens in the oceans; and it doesn't mean that we can't do something to help.

"The oceans are the heart and foundation for all civilization on this planet, and if the ocean's die we die." - Captain Paul Watson

Thanks for taking time to read my blog.

Damian

(This photo was taken by Rosey Ramone)

PETA protest

I attended my first PETA protest this past Tuesday and was happy on the outcome. We may not of had a lot of people show up, however, what we lacked in numbers we more than made it for with a little bit of heart and a lot of passion. The main aim of the protest was to encourage people to spay and neuter there pets (specifically Cats and Dogs). "Every year six to eight million unwanted cats and dogs end up in animal shelters, and half of these animals will be euthanized because there simply aren't enough good homes for them. Every time someone buys an animal from a pet store or a breeder, they are taking a home away from an animal in a shelter. And every animal who is not spayed or neutered will most likely contribute to the current overpopulation crisis."(PETA copyright)

Having had dogs all my life, I understand the importance of having your pet spayed or neutered. However, it wasn't till a few months ago that I learned about the horrible atrocities that occur in puppy mills worldwide. Dogs that are raised in puppy mills live in cramped and filthy conditions; and are constantly confined and deprived of veterinary care and socialization. No animal deserves a life of imprisonment and being confined to a small cage. The overpopulation crisis is far too huge to simply ignore. " One unspayed dog and her offspring can produce 67, 000 dogs in six years, and one unspayed cat and her offspring can produce 420, 000 cats in seven years."(PETA copyright). If cats and dogs are able to reproduce this amount of offspring in just six or seven years, then just imagine how many of these beautiful beings will end up on the streets without good homes, and more than likely end up being euthanized in a shelter, or even dying of starvation. Simply put, the only solution to this overpopulation crisis is to have your pets spayed or neutered, and or to adopt an animal from a shelter.

These days it seems like more and more people are still buying animals from a pet store or breeder, and while these animals deserve to go to loving homes, so do these poor animals living in animal shelters. It's because of breeders that we have this problem in the first place. Though they're not entirely to blame, they are still however, part of the reason why we have an overpopulation crisis that is resulting in millions of animals being euthanized every year. We as human beings make choices everyday, and the choices we make impact what happens in the world. If we as a society can then make that choice to adopt, rather than to buy from a breeder, we would lessen the demand for litters. Education is a crucial element here. Educate yourself, as well as others. The solution lies within the context of supply and demand. If we can lessen the demand, than the supply of breeders and their litters will eventually lessen.

I know for myself personally, that the next dog I decide to get will come from an animal shelter. I've had four dogs my entire life, and three of the four came from a home breeder. While I didn't know then what I do now; I am forever grateful for the dogs that came into my life, as I have been truly touched by each and every one of them. All I will say is that knowledge is power, and the more people who are aware of this unfortunate situation, the more we can do to change this from continuing. Six to eight million unwanted animals end up in shelters annually. Half of their lives will be ended through a needle being injected into their vein. This may be a humane way to die, but it's inhumane to have to end their lives because nobody cares, or isn't aware of this tragedy. Like I stated in the lines above, knowledge really is power, and we as a human race have the ability to make a choice, these poor animals do not. The choices you make in your everyday life really do have an impact. What choice will you make??

Thanks for sincerely taking the time to read my blog.

Damian

(Photos below were taken by Emily Lavender with PETA. Thanks for setting up the protest Emily).

A day of protest for "Lucy" the elephant

It was a chilly day for a protest, with a temperature of -7 degrees celsius. And even though it might not seem that cold to many, that wind made it almost too cold to bare. My feet and fingers were completely numb by the time we called it a day. And yet as I stood in the cold with at least fifteen other protesters, blocking the cars from entering the Edmonton "Valley Zoo", all I could think about was how cold Lucy must of been. She is an asian elephant who was born in the tropical forests of Sri Lanka, and is kept in both an inside and outside enclosure year round. (She's able to access her outside enclosure from inside, but tends to stay inside most of the time in the Winter season as it is most likely too cold for her). She must of been freezing for the last 35 years of her life, living in such a cold and chilling environment. This was my first protest for Lucy, even though there have been numerous protests over the years as Lucy's situation continues to gardner local and international attention. Iconic TV show host Bob Barker, known more now for his animal rights work was in Edmonton back in 2009 to see Lucy; and has even gone as far as to say he will put up $100,000 dollars if the City of Edmonton would be willing to move Lucy to an elephant sanctuary in California, where she will be able to live a better life, away from the tortures of solitude and confinement. The City of Edmonton however, has refused to move Lucy to Paws (Performing animal welfare society) in California. The City and the Valley Zoo state that she is too sick to move, and that if she were to be moved, it would most likely resolve in Lucy's death. Lucy has a long list of health issues which include chronic respiratory problems, rheumatoid arthritis, foot problems, teeth trouble, was diagnosed with colic in 2008, is obese and has abnormal/stereotypic behaviour. All of Lucy's health related issues are due to the fact that she is living in an unnatural environment that is unsuitable for ANY elephant. The myth that elephants are able to acclimatize to cold weather is hog wash. Simply untrue and complete nonsense.

I really do hope that the City of Edmonton and the Valley Zoo come to it's senses, and send Lucy to an elephant sanctuary in California. No animal deserves to be locked in an enclosure all alone, and unable to properly move around in. The Zoo even stated that they will no longer keep elephants anymore, even though they refuse to move Lucy to a sanctuary because of a mysterious illness that she apparently has, but hasn't been diagnosed. Even former NHL hockey player Georges Laraque, has stated that he would give the City $100,000 that could be used to fund a city sports program, if they were to move Lucy to PAWS. (Georges is a big animal rights advocate, and also did the french narration for the documentary "Earthlings") Free link  http://www.movie4k.to/Earthlings-watch-movie-1117534.html

Either way you look at it, you can't honestly say that Lucy looks like she is comfortable in her home at the Valley Zoo. An animal of that size doesn't belong in a tiny enclosure. She belongs in the wild, where she can roam free and live in her natural habitat. Obviously, this isn't possible after being placed in an unnatural environment for thirty five years of her life. However, she can be moved to a sanctuary where she will be able to roam through 2300 acres of space, go for long walks without her keepers, and build and develop lifelong connections in a warm environment suited for elephants.

This will not be the last protest for Lucy, and I fully intend to go to every other protest until she is moved to an elephant sanctuary, far away from such ignorance and greed.

Thanks for reading my blog. And a big thanks to Sheryl Zaharko for inviting me to this protest.

Damian

My experience in Taiji, Japan

I made the long journey home from Taiji two weeks ago today.  During my two weeks there, I experienced a whirlwind of different emotions, and seen a lot of innocence being lost due to ignorance and greed. The experience of being in Taiji, is an experience that is hard to explain in the context of a blog. However, I will say that it’s an experience that will stay with, and haunt me for the rest of my days.

Being on the ground in Taiji, and experiencing first hand what takes place here is truly unforgettable. The town itself is very strange. Images of dolphins and whales are everywhere. On sidewalks, on top of buildings or, even on the sides of tunnels. You'd think that this town loves these beautiful marine mammals. Yet, we all know that it's known for the tragic and inhumane slaughtering of these magnificent beings. 

Waking up every morning before sunrise with my fellow cove guardians, and heading to the harbor to greet the fisherman is something that I will never forget. Seeing the faces of these men as they walk towards their boats, made me realize that these fisherman have absolutely no empathy, or compassion for these dolphins and whales they hunt everyday. They can be seen smiling, and laughing while a slaughter is taking place or just after. And even though this behaviour is crude and ignorant, I do not hate these fisherman. I hate what they stand for, and truly don't know how they can go out everyday and mercilessly end the life of a living being. But, I do not hate them. Though I wish they could see for just a moment, why so many people from around the world care, and come to Taiji. It's not because we hate Japan, or the people of Japan, but because we can't stand to see these intelligent and innocent sentient beings forced into a tiny cove and inhumanely slaughtered, or, taken from their families to be enslaved for human entertainment and greed. They don't see this unfortunately, and that is an absolute shame, as if they could just see what we see for just a moment then maybe, just maybe they would change their way of thinking, and stop this senseless slaughter once and for all.

Being apart of this campaign, and seeing what these dolphins and whales go through on a daily basis has completely changed my life. In my regular everyday routine, im constantly reminded of the images and sounds that I witnessed in Taiji. It truly never leaves you, and I will never forget those beautiful souls who lost their fight, and the ones that remain held up in jail because of such speciesism. When my time in Taiji came to a close, I had NO desire to leave. If I could of stayed for the rest of the campaign I would have. Leaving was incredibly tough to say the least.

 I met some of the most incredibly passionate, brave, selfless, inspiring and truly genuine human beings in Taiji, Japan, who traveled around the world from six different nations with the same desires and reasons for coming here as my own. Together we got up everyday before sunrise to defend the rights of these beautiful, innocent and intelligent sentient beings, who have every right to swim wild and free. Whether that be in the waters close to Taiji, or anywhere else in the world. I love and admire everything that Sea Shepherd stands for, and their unwavering commitment to protect and conserve the world's oceans and all it's beings. I will continue to be a voice for the voiceless, and plan to go back to Taiji every season until the "Cove runs blue forever". It might sound cliche but, my heart will always remain in Taiji with the dolphins and whales of the Pacifc ocean. 

Thank you for reading my blog. 

Damian

(Captive Bottlenose dolphins at Dolphin Resort)

(Risso dolphin pod being driven into the Cove)

(Photo above is copyright of Sea Shepherd USA) 

(Myself and Ric O' Barry)

(Photo above is copyright of Suzette Ackerman. Cove Guardian's with Ric O' Barry and the Dolphin Project)