Photo copyright Jim Robertson

THE VILLAGE OF HOLLEY, N.Y., IS PREPARING FOR ANOTHER
BLOODBATH SATURDAY, FEB. 22, WHEN IT WILL HOST ITS ANNUAL”SQUIRREL SLAM”

Friends of Animals (FoA) and local residents will lead a protest of the
horrific event, a squirrel-shooting contest for children and adults
disguised as a fundraiser, and take questions from the media, on Saturday
from 4:30 to 6 p.m. outside the Holley Fire Department located at 7 Thomas
St., where the hunters will bring dead squirrels to be weighed to claim prizes.

“Our experiences protesting the event last year showed a sickening,
gun-worshipping culture of adults, teenagers and children who celebrated the
violence of mass animal killing,” said Edita Birnkrant, FoA’s NY Director.

While the fire department gears up for the event despite opposition, New
York lawmakers are speaking out against the disgrace and showing support of
legislation that would put an end to animal killing contests for good.

“Any competition that encourages and glorifies the slaughter of innocent
animals for no purpose has no place in our state,” said N.Y. state Sen. Jack
Martins, one of the sponsors of a bill that would make these contests illegal.

Last year FoA, an international animal advocacy group founded in New York in
1957, mobilized supporters and took to the streets to protest and released a
mini documentary detailing its efforts. The video,
<http://friendsofanimals.org/news/2013/april/squirrel-slam-video&gt;
http://friendsofanimals.org/news/2013/april/squirrel-slam-video , also draws
attention to the Senate and Assembly bills that would ban animal killing contests in New York.

“Killing contests like the ‘Squirrel Slam’ provide an incentive to children
and adults to shoot many animals to win prizes- a disturbing, irrational
activity that’s out-of-pace with New York culture and must end throughout
the state,” said N.Y. state Sen. Tony Avella, who created the bill.

“I believe it is an obligation and honor to advance legislation that will
protect and maintain the beauty and health of New York State wildlife,”
added N.Y. state Assembly member Deborah J. Glick.

David Brensilver, a wildlife advocate and writer/musician, created a
“Squirrel Slam” protest song in support of FoA’s efforts and can be
downloaded here: <http://thedailymaul.com/?p=9791&gt;

Puppy dies in hot backyard

Animal killing contests are part of a broader conversation on gun violence.
The Holley event comes just over a year after a rifle wielding Adam Lanza
committed mass murder at an elementary school, and last month, a 12-year-old
opened fire at a middle school and an elderly man fatally shot someone
because he was text messaging during a movie.

__________________

Friends of Animals, an international animal protection organization founded
in 1957, advocates for the rights of animals to live free, on their own
terms. <http://www.friendsofanimals.org&gt; http://www.friendsofanimals.org