Saturday, November 28, 2009 - Part 1

Fur Free Saturday 2009 - New York City - Part 2

WAR Protests the Killing of Oreo by the ASPCA

Demo #1: ASPCA Headquarters

More than a dozen activists gathered at the Upper East Side headquarters of the ASPCA to again protest the killing of Oreo, the young pit bull who was thrown off a 6 story building in Brooklyn. In consideration of the animals living at the ASPCA, activists chose to make the protest a silent one.

Colorful signs read….“Oreo was Betrayed by the ASPCA” and “Ed Sayres and Victoria Wells Killed Oreo”. A particularly cogent sign read: “Oreo would still be alive at Pets Alive”, a reference to the No-Kill Sanctuary that offered to take Oreo. Most signs had heart-wrenching pictures of Oreo.

True to form, the ASPCA once again disregarded the activists. The only ASPCA staffer to come outside to speak to the protestors was the security/doorman who came out to ask the demonstrators to move away from the front door. It was made clear that the protest was a peaceful legal one and that WAR declined the request to move the protest away from the door since no one was blocking the doorway or impeding ingress or egress.

Despite the attempt at polite and civil discourse, the ASPCA once again chose to call police and have them needlessly come out to attend a quiet peaceful gathering. Clearly, they are unaware of the fact that many of the protestors are past contributors to the ASPCA. To give credence to that fact, one of the protestors dropped off blankets and towels before joining the picket line.

Some heartless staffers came out of the ASPCA with eyes rolling heavenward and no interest in taking offered flyers. Other staffers watched from the second floor where they discreetly gave protesters thumbs up in support. Meanwhile the whistleblower reports continue to come in.

Demo #2: Ed Sayres - CEO of ASPCA - Home Demo

A short walk away from the ASPCA, activists gathered at the luxury apartment building of ASPCA Chief Executive Ed Sayres. Sayres made the decision to kill Oreo on the counsel of an inept and incompetent staffer, Victoria Wells. Even though it was Victoria Wells who made the decision to execute Oreo, Ed Sayres had the power to over-ride that decision. As CEO, Ed Sayres had the final say and it was Sayres who signed the execution order.

The ASPCA staff and it’s head Ed Sayres may not want to talk to WAR activists or take their flyers, but Ed’s neighbors came down by the droves to ask why the protest was being held. The sound of loud voices filled the silent street as they chanted….”Ed Sayres Lied and Oreo Died” and “For Oreo we will fight….How does Sayres sleep at night?”.

Neighbors grimaced in disgust when they learned that Oreo was killed needlessly. Many were angry to learn that a qualified rescue, Pets Alive, offered to take Oreo and the ASPCA refused to even acknowledge the offer. Others were shocked and saddened to learn that the ASPCA is far from a No Kill Shelter. Many promised to make their feelings known to the ASPCA and many swore that they would not give the ASPCA a dime until they accounted for their misdeeds.

Ed Sayres keeps telling his staff that the backlash will only last a few days. Hundreds of phone calls, e-mails and letters later, one wonders what he is telling his staff now? Much like the pit bull he killed, WAR is loyal and steadfast in their determination to keep Oreo’s memory alive. Like a pit bull, once WAR bites into an issue, they never let go. Their motto is: “Never Give Up, Never Give In, We Always Win”. In this case, WAR is seeking “Justice for Oreo” and will not rest until they get it!

Despite hours of standing and throats raw from chanting, this intrepid bunch continued on to Fur Free Saturday – Part 3.