HUndreds protest over Michael Vicks at Steelers home game

[Divernan]

Over three hundred animal rights protesters turned out Thursday before the start of the Pittsburgh Steelers last preseason game calling for Michael Vick's removal from the team.

Countless fans on their way into the stadium could be seen stopping, honking their horns and thanking members of the group for rallying against Vick, while other fans were heard saying that Vick should be forgiven.

The group gathered across from Heinz Field Thursday before the start of the game against the Carolina Panthers calling for Michael Vick's firing, with most saying the Steelers should not have signed Vick, who plead guilty for his role in a multi-state dog-fighting enterprise.
"It's hypocritical, Pittsburgh Steeler fans were the most vocal about the Philadelphia Eagles picking [Vick] up, and here they are supporting him," said Pittsburgh resident Sherri Suppa, who turned out for the anti-Vick Rally. Vick played with the Eagles from 2009-2013 as a backup quarterback.

Vybrial said that she hopes tonight's rally also brings awareness to pending legislation that would stiffen the penalties for animal cruelty and make it crime to tie animals on a line outside their homes, which she said most people do, who are engaged in dog fighting.

Currently there are three pieces of legislation pending in Pennsylvania; House Bill 113, also known as "Angel's Law," would make it a misdemeanor, up from a summary offense, for first time offenders, while repeat offenders would face felony charges. Senate Bill 373 and House Bill 1469 would make it a crime for a person to tie their animals on a line for prolonged periods of time.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/sports/hundreds-protest-over-michael-vick-at-steelers-home-game/article/442837#ixzz3klZFHxUz

Check out the photos of the protest signs. I was particularly touched by the photo of the statue of Rocco, a Pittsburgh K-9 dog who was killed in the line of duty. The statue carries the inscription, "Ever Watchful" and has been adorned with an anti-Vick t-shirt.

[tularetom]

1. Leave Vick alone!

It's not like he did something terrible, like letting the air out of footballs.

[Divernan]

3. Good point.

My post 2 is not in response to your post. I was trying to get it in immediately after my OP, but you beat me to it!

[tularetom]

4. Yeah I was gonna add the sarcasm thingy but I thought it was obvious

If I wrote what I thought should happen to Vick, my post would be hidden.

[Divernan]

2. This thread is about Vick, not other criminal pro athletes.

When I posted another OP about Pittsburghers Against Vick, I got many replies to the effect that if people weren't protesting Big Ben or other pro athletes for their sexual predations/abuse of women, then they lacked standing to give a shit about the hundreds of tortured & violently killed dogs Vick was responsible for.

(ON EDIT: Vick was not simply responsible for those violent deaths, i.e., ordered others to kill dogs, - he personally and viciously murdered already injured animals, or animals which hadn't been aggressive enough in training - and not with a simple gunshot to the head, but by repeatedly slamming their bodies to the ground, thowing them into pools with steep sides from which they could not climb out, and then electrocuting them. The man is a vicious monster. He may be making court required payments - but he was not psychologically "cured" by 18 months of time served. He is not a different man - just has learned to hide his true nature from the public.)

I suggest that if a protest such as this in Pittsburgh, generates enough negative PR to influence the Steeler organization to not renew Vick's contract or to think twice before signing any other such athletes - even the ones who pay off their female victims to sign non-disclosure agreements & drop criminal charges - that would be a step in the right direction.

But please, stop distracting from the point of my OPs on this subject, which is that Vick has gotten off very lightly for his sociopathic levels of greed and cruelty, and that there are laws pending in the Pennsylvania state legislature, passage of which can be effected by the level of voter support therefor and passage of which would protect animals from cruel treatment and significantly increase the level of punishment for such crimes.

[Number9Dream]

5. Ditto - and thank you, Divernan n/t

[MisterP]

7. many people really do think compassion's like a little cup and you can give X

amount to one thing or to another, and then you're done

plus he pled out--hardly "paying his debt"

[BuelahWitch]

10. Thank you from me too

Was a Steeler's fan for almost 40 years, but no longer. I stand with those poor dogs.

[femmocrat]

6. Excellent.

They even got some coverage on the local news.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/michael-vick-support-rally-candlelight-vigil-anima/nnXyg/

[Number9Dream]

8. Notice how the "journalist" soft-soaped Vick's crimes

(Vick) "...spent time in jail connected to his implication in a multi-state dogfighting ring."

Reminds me of the mayor in "Jaws": "...we killed a predator that supposedly injured some bathers."

[femmocrat]

9. Oh sure.... no biggie. After all, he's a FB player!

Some think if he just does some "community outreach" to animal rescue agencies, he will be exonerated. (I thought he already did that with the HSUS.) It's obvious that Animal Rescue League wants no part of him!