Pledge to Take Part in ARAN's '1000 Against The Cruelty'

by Sheepstealer Sun Jul 23, 2006 17:50

It would be fantastic if people could fill in the pledge form above and gather on 10 December 2006, the official International Day for Animal Rights to lend their support at this demonstration to put pressure on those in Leinster House to bring in new legisation to protect animals and ban all cruel and demeaning sports and acts of depravity performed on animals.

Those in Leinster House have indeed shown no willingess to change legislation in regard to animal protection in Ireland and in many cases are encouraging it. It needs to be brought home to the members that their ignorance and disregard for animals is no longer acceptable to the people of Ireland, who have always being animal lovers. There appears no will at all to eradicate the hunting of foxes (a sport for the depraved) or those who breed animals soley to profit from their fur or skin.

Unfortunately, I myself, having being a bodhrán player since I was a child have grown to hate the instrument now (simply for the fact that it is made out of goat's skin) and decided to part with it recently, such a disdain I developed for it when I actually thought of what it is made from and am now ashamed of myself for ever having owned the instrument.

Hope to see everyone on the 10 December, all the very best! Keep up the good work.

Ádh mór oraibh!

Slán agus beannacht Dé libh.

by Gloria Mon Jul 24, 2006 04:44

...and show that we care about putting an end to needless suffering on the part of animals as well as humans. Those who inflict needless suffering, or sanction it, have the obvious effect of causing pain etc to their victims but they also demean themselves. Those that think animal welfare is not a serious issue should bear this in mind.

keep up the good work ARAN and all other organisations/individuals making a difference for animals worldwide.

Hope to be there 10 Dec and hope to see many of you there.

by Mark Travis Mon Jul 31, 2006 13:26 animalrightsalltheway at eircom dot net

just sent you a letter and pledge too, thanks for being there for animals

by REAL Animal-Rights Activist Fri Oct 27, 2006 14:58

ARAN not only exploits women, but animals now too.

On their event notice ( http://www.indymedia.ie/article/78735 ), ARAN say:

"we’re also asking people to please bring their dogs and other companion animals with them"

Apart from the VERY obvious fact that Dublin City is no place to bring any animal and that participating in a rally with a lot of people would also be very frightening for them, what sort of so-called animal rights group would use animals in this way? Although bringing animals to this event is not the same as animals being used, beaten or abused (in, for example, a circus), by forcing animals to attend this rally you are taking away their choice and freedom - which is exactly what circuses and other animal-exploit industries do.

By bringing animals to this rally, you may not be physically abusing them- but you are mentally abusing them. Can you imagine the stress and anxiety they would feel? And even if some animals, such as dogs, would be comfortable in attending this- you as a human cannot make this judgement call. They can't tell us whether they would or wouldn't like to go, so don't make them just because YOU think they would be ok in this kind of situation.

ARAN also go on to say: "We’ll march on behind a huge banner reading “Speak Out For Animal Rights” whilst others hold purple balloons which symbolize animal rights"

Purple BALLOONS?? Burst balloons are a choking hazzard to birds and other animals- and don't tell me you'll be monitoring and tracking every balloon you bring on the day and that any burst balloons won't just be discarded on the street. What's wrong with just wearing purple ribbons or wristbands- something which won't harm any creature or the environment?

I for one will certainly not be supporting ARAN or any their contradictory events.

by Real activist too Fri Oct 27, 2006 16:05

I agree with real activist.

The dog cannot say they will or they wont enjoy it. (So it is exploiting them to make that choice for them). O'Connell street near Christmas is mental. (I won't go into it myself) Nevermind bring an animal.

Balloons are lethal (to animals and the environment) and to organise an 'event' with balloons for animals, is, well, nothing short of insane. These balloons could end up in the liffey (for example) choking swans and other wildlife or caught in trees strangling birds.

No Real campaigning, no Real concern, no Real Interest!!

by Ciara Roche Sat Oct 28, 2006 00:42 ciarams1 at hotmail dot com

real animal rights activist, I have a dog and two cats - I can tell you that my dog loves being brought in to town, no he didn't tell me that himself but, I usually know when something is upsetting my dog, same as I know with my cats and humans - whether they tell me or not. There are other forms of communication other than verbal you know!

You may have a slight point with regard to the balloons, but you know, I imagine that most creatures in the Liffey or around Dublin city centre, if they haven't choked on all the litter are unlikely to succumb to a few bits of rubber (which I believe it more biodegradable than a crisp bag)

If you are a "real" animal rights activist, why not tell us what it is that you are doing to improve the lot of animals?

by AR Advocate Sun Oct 29, 2006 16:15

Just because a cat or dog doesn't tell you something verbally doesn't mean you can take it for granted that you 100% all of the time Know what they are feeling, this is not possible. It would be more responsible to not risk upsetting animals by bringing them to such an event and yes O'Connell street will me mad near Christmas. Making the choice for a dog is exactly the problem. Giving yourself the benefit of the doubt and saying 'Maybe I could be wrong here' and so not bringing the dog is much more ethical and responsible.

As for rubbish in the Liffey and Crisp packets, comparing the balloon thing to the 'everyday rubbish in the liffey' is completely irresponsible. Dublin and the Liffey can be full of litter (as somebody who lives in Dublin I know) but an Animal Rights group should be more responsible, regardless of the fact that everybody else is not (That is the whole point to Animal Rights). If thats the case why go vegan or veggie why not say oh but everybody else is eating meat? Why do anything then? If Aran is doing this to try improve the lot for animals then setting a good example would be a good place to start.

I practice what I preach and live by my beliefs too!

by Ciara R Sun Oct 29, 2006 21:00 ciarams1 at hotmail dot com

...well good for you AR Advocate! Your concern for the well being of animals as well as your constructive criticism warms the heart. Having taken your comments on board I can tell you that I will be bringing my dog into town this December - unless his nature changes dramatically between then and now. My dog absolutely loves town - no matter what the time of year. Being a very sociable creature, my dog even likes parties and I mean full on parties. Same dog hates other things, the thing is, dogs communicate quite well with people. And unlike people they tend to say what they mean and mean what they say! A relation had a dog and this dog used to love going on very long walks/runs, when the dog god too old, she just stopped exhibiting enthusiasm for the walks.

As a genuine Animals Rights Activist, maybe you should join us - without the dog and balloon of course...

by Tadhg Sun Oct 29, 2006 22:38

Here's a fact sheet on balloons and their effect on wildlife:

http://www.ukrivers.net/balloon_fact.html

"Once balloons are released, they can become a serious form of marine pollution. A long list of marine creatures - dolphins, whales, turtles, fish, and seabirds - have been reported with balloons in their stomachs. It is believed that they mistake balloons and other buoyant plastics for their natural prey e.g. jellyfish and squid, and eat them."

by Mary McCarthy - none Mon Oct 30, 2006 03:37

Tadhgh
the effects of balloon releases are massive on the environment especially for marine life but this website is for mass balloon release. Perhaps those wishing to go on 10.12.06 will bring their balloons and bin them.

by nerraw Mon Oct 30, 2006 11:02

Oh the irony of animal activists releasing balloons. You just couldn't make it up. Who thought of this?

As for the comments that the liffey is full of rubbish anyway, what kind of stupid comment is that? Why do anything then?

Bringing animals into the city centre just before christmas is insane. I'm sure the dogs will be just delighted to go to the concrete jungle full of thousands of shoppers rather than a park.

by Anti-balloon Mon Oct 30, 2006 11:40

I had planned to attend this rally but when I realised balloons were to be involved I changed my mind. I don't want to be responsible for the deaths of whales etc.

As far as the dog thing goes I would rather not take the risk, any more than I would with a child at a large rally. You never know what can happen despite the best intentions. I hope to God no fool brings a cat/bird.hamster etc.

by Catherine Keating Fri Nov 03, 2006 14:01

Apparently the balloons are now not going to be used, being replaced by ribbons. Good stuff. Poor whales need all the help they can get with Icelands recent decisiion to start commercially slaughtering even the endngered ones again...

by iosaf with his 5 satelite dishes (recycled from scrap) & - 2 shortwave radio antenas - I'm informed. Fri Nov 03, 2006 17:36

I checked & it turns out that the latest Dublin anti-cruelty to animal protest photo was offered to morning commuter workers throughout Europe on the "20 minutes" network which is one of the principle "free papers" given those who don't travel to work by car. (c/f where I told you about them all first on the day they were launched in Dublin :- http://indymedia.ie/article/72393 )

However, it was a pity that though captioned "seen in Ireland" one could clearly read the label on the "package of meat" (which was Ms. V. I believe) directing the curious to a "org.uk" internet site. Surely it's time for the Irish PETA & other people to launch a ".ie" site?

by animal lover Sun Nov 05, 2006 13:55

Aran is marching to the Dail on Sunday?? Dont they realise the Dail will be empty on Sunday?? No such thing as politicians working on Sunday!!