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Marching on Washington to Save Wild Horses & Burros

Marching on Washington to Save Wild Horses & Burros

Last week more than 100 citizen-delegates gathered for the “March on Washington” in our nation’s capital. It was wonderful to see more than one hundred citizen-delegates, representing millions of Americans, gathered in our nation’s capital to demand that President Obama and Congress change course and fix the broken wild horse and burro program. Wild horse and burro advocacy groups and animal protection organizations united to step up the pressure on the government. IDA is proud to be a part of this distinguished group. Below is the statement read at the White House rally on behalf of Dr. Katz, IDA’s founder and president.

Dr. Elliot Katz, founder and president of In Defense of Animals, wasn’t able to be here today. He asked that I read this message on his behalf.

On behalf of America’s wild horses and burros, and in honor of Wild Horse Annie and all who have gone before us in this long fight, thank you for your work.  We look forward anxiously to the day that, together, we finish this battle, and America’s wild horses and burros finally receive the protections they so desperately need and deserve.

I am sorry I am not able to be with you today as we express our solidarity and determination to protect the well-being and future of America’s wild horses and burros.

As a veterinarian who has seen first-hand the horrors that occur in slaughter houses and who has seen the videos over the years of the terrible mistreatment of America’s wild horses and burros, I am deeply gratified by your presence here today, and by the work that each and every one of you is doing to put an end to the cruel and unjust policies our government is following.

As one voice together, we ask for an immediate halt to the cruel, abusive and illegal roundups of these treasured beings. I am very pleased for the cooperative efforts of the groups represented here – it is through the combined work of wild horse and burro advocates, animal protection and animal rights advocates that we CAN achieve victory in this important fight.  These combined efforts are exemplified in the presence of everyone out here today, demonstrating that together we can make a significant impact on the well-being of other species.

I am proud that In Defense of Animals has initiated a lawsuit challenging the legality of BLM roundups and long-term holding facilities, and that we have championed this cause for the past few years. As our lawsuit continues in federal court, we are deeply grateful to our legal team from Buchanan, Ingersoll and Rooney — Mr. William Spriggs and his entire team – and we are gratified to have such wonderful co-plaintiffs in renowned ecologist Craig Downer and noted children’s author Terri Farley.

This blog was contributed by Deniz Bolbol, IDA’s Wild Horse and Burros Campaign.

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