GRASS ROOTS RALLY IN LOS ANGELES TO SAVE WILD HORSES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Neda DeMayo, Return To Freedom
805-735-3246, 805-588-5105
Media Alert
Preservationists Decry Wild-Horse Roundups
The Bureau of Land Management has begun rounding up more than 2500 wild horses from the Calico Complex in North Western Nevada, generating protests from both the public at large and animal advocate groups. Return to Freedom American Wild Horse Sanctuary (www.returntofreedom.org) is partnering with other coalition members to organize a peaceful demonstration on Wednesday, January 6, in front of Senator Dianne Feinstein’s office in Los Angeles to pressure the Obama administration to impose a moratorium on roundups by the BLM.
Coalition members supporting the mission and objectives of The American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign (AWHPC) will join forces In Los Angeles on January 6 2010. Launched in 2004, the campaign was conceived as a uniting and grassroots tool to help protect America’s wild horses on their rightful ranges, on our public lands. The campaign is represented by a coalition of 50 diverse organizations collectively representing over 9 million people nationwide.
Joining the Coalition will be Wendie Malick, Tatjana Patitz and award winning author Deanne Stillman, more surprise guests and other friends of the horses!
WHO: Return To Freedom, American Wild Horse Sanctuary (RTF)
In Defense of Animals (IDA)
Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue
The Cloud Foundation
WHAT: Regional Protest of the Calico Wild Horse Roundup
WHERE: In front of Senator Dianne Feinstein’s Office
11111 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 915, Los Angeles, 90025
WHEN: Wednesday, January 6, 2010 from 11AM to 1PM
“An immense amount of tax dollars are being spent on the removal of wild horses while less intrusive and less costly ‘in the wild’ management alternatives exist,” says Neda DeMayo, founder of Return to Freedom American Wild Horse Sanctuary and a spokesperson for the Campaign. “Americans want their wild horses to remain free and protected on the ranges where they currently exist. We are asking that the original spirit and intent of the Wild Free Roaming horse and Burro Act be upheld so that our grandchildren’s children will know the herds, who are a vital link to our western heritage”.
“While this may be the new administration, it is clearly the old BLM’s intent on callously slaughtering the wild horses—our national treasure,” states Betsy Dribben from the ASPCA. “That is now why we have taken to the streets to raise our voices that this is a public debate that must be negotiated upon at the political table and not by roundups.”
Jill Starr of Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue exclaims “How ironic that the very symbol of American freedom is quickly becoming prisoners of hypocrisy. The iconic American mustangs are soon to be just ghosts blowing across our dusty deserts haunting our memories and that is all we will have left one day to remind us of what our country once believed in and stood for”!
Call To Action
Return to Freedom is asking the public to:
· Attend Wednesday’s rally if they live near Los Angeles
· Write to their representatives in Congress and ask them to protect America’s wild horses by supporting The ROAM Act (HR1018/S1579). Find your Reps at www.congress.org or call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to be connected.
Write to Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and ask him to:
· Call for a moratorium on all roundups until viable alternatives for minimally intrusive ” In The Wild “Management policies are in place to preserve and protect our remaining wild horse herds on the public rangelands where they currently exist.
· Support management policies that reflect the original spirit and intent of the 1971 Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act to protect our herds on America’s public Lands.
The Honorable Ken Salazar
Secretary of the Interior
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240
Return To Freedom, American Wild Horse Sanctuary
P. 805-735-3246 M. 805-588-5105 F. 805-800-0868
www.returntofreedom.org /www.wildhorsepreservation.com
