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No Compromise |
News Alert |
| August 2, 2000 |
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LOS ANGELES - At least six animal rights protesters were arrested - and two were sent to area hospitals by ambulance - at an anti-circus demonstration at the Los Angeles Sports Arena Wednesday night.
Two activists from Animal Defense League climbed the roof of the facility and three others locked themselves together at the entrance to the arena to protest the opening night of the Ringling Brothers Circus here.
An estimated 50 SWAT officers used batons to push several dozen protesters picketing the circus away from the building - although the picketers were on public property.
The club-wielding police hurt two demonstrators - both not involved with the blockade - who had to be taken by ambulance to the hospital.
Police were holding at least six protesters on simple trespassing charges.
About 2 weeks ago, a Los Angeles trauma surgeon was beaten by police as he picketed peacefully the Ringling Brothers Circus at the Long Beach Sports Arena to protest cruelty to animals in the Ringling Brothers Circus.
Testimonial from Activist:
It was quite a sight last night at The Los Angeles Sports Arena for opening night of Ringling Bros. A truncated version of Desert Storm.
About 30 activists from The Animal Defense League-LA carried signs and passed out literature for nearly five hours.
But the real excitement came one hour into the demo. Two activists, Jerry Vlasak and Jeff Van-Name, scaled the roof of the LA Sports Arena and hung a banner over the front entrance that read, "CRUELEST SHOW ON EARTH."
Meanwhile, three activists, Michelle Dyrness, Pamelyn Ferdin and Geoff Kerns, staged a lockdown in front of the front doors with lockboxes. (Lockboxes are three foot, cylinder, metal tubes weighing about 25 pounds each.) The activists inserted an arm into each lockbox and locked themselves to each other.
Then, the LAPD started sprouting up like lies. First five. Then 10. Then 20. Then 35. Then 55. The last batch -- about 20 or so -- showed up in riot gear and marched in formation like banal little GI Joes and Janes.
The cops were befuddled throughout the night. The demo started at 5:30, and the civil disobedience began at 6:30. It wasn't until almost 10 o'clock that the LAPD figured out how to cut through the lockboxes and get the protesters off the roof.
During the riot cops' show of force, one sign-carrying protester, Sue Marschner, and one megphone-carrying activist, Bob Linden, were violently knocked to the ground for no reason. I witnessed both assaults and every piece of the protest was filmed by two other activists. They were taken to the hospital and we are still awaiting a final diagnosis on their situations.
UPN-TV and Fox-TV covered the last three hours of the demo.
Three of the five activists remain incarcerated ON A HUNGER STRIKE at Southwest LA Precinct and the 77th Precinct (Jerry Vlasak, trauma surgeon/physician/MD, at Southwest -- Pam F. and Michelle D. at 77th).
Two of the five civil disobediencers were minors and released a few hours after they were arrested. They were ADL-LA activists Geoff Kerns and Jeff Van-Name.
Both jails now refuse to release the last three PEACEFUL PROTESTERS until Friday. These brave activists simply gave up their freedom for those who have NONE.
Call both jails and ask that the activists be released on their OWN RECOGNIZANCE (OR). All were charged with the heinous crime of trespassing. Plus, we have unconfirmed reports that one of the assaulted bystanders, Bob Linden, was charged with the heinous crime of using an amplified device (megaphone) in public.
Once again, the last remaining three are Jerry Vlasak, trauma surgeon/physician/MD, Pam Ferdin, RN, and Michelle Dyrness, emergency vet technician.
The Southwest Jail's phone number where Jerry is being held is 213-485-2582. Please call, be polite, and ask that Jerry be released on his own recognizance.
The 77th Precinct's phone number is 213-485-4164. Please call, be polite, and ask that Pam and Michelle be released on their own recognizance.
Remember these are peaceful protesters who have been violated countless times by the LAPD.
Related Stories/Links:
» Under the Big Top: Facts About
Circuses - No Compromise
» Circus Addresses and Profiles
- No Compromise
» Circuses: Tools of the Trade - No
Compromise