JUNE 13, 2023 UPDATE:
We had a great Pigeon Appreciation Day demonstration at the Sacramento Capitol building today! Extra special thanks to Cynthia Harris & her wingman Steve Morgan for all their great organizing, publicizing, hosting & leading of this wonderful event! Thanks also to Christiana Reed, Heather Hamilton, Jerri Grindle Pelletier, Aileen Paterson, Jill McMurchy, Erin Page Blanchard, Halima Maureen, Tony Sehgal & everybirdy working to help pigeons.
Posted April 2, 2023
PROTESTING FOR PIGEON PROTECTIONS
By Cynthia Harris
(Join us live online 6/13 at Facebook.com/groups/Palomacy)
National Pigeon Appreciation Day is 6/13/23. It is believed this date was chosen to honor pigeons as the date on which the famous pigeon, Cher Ami, died in 1919. Cher Ami helped save the lives of 194 soldiers in WWI. Of course, pigeons, throughout history, have helped mankind in thousands of other significant ways, not just as messengers in both World Wars.
This year, on Pigeon Appreciation Day, I am organizing a protest at the Capital in Sacramento, California to remind people why pigeons deserve our appreciation and to bring awareness to the fact that pigeons are intelligent, sensitive birds, who deserve the same care and respect as other more “popular” species. I know you all are aware how pigeons are maligned and mistreated today, and how there are essentially no federal or state laws that protect them against mistreatment.
We all want to change that. To my mind, this is the year to be an activist. Hence, the protest on 6/13/23. Flamingo, the fledgling King pigeon dyed pink for a “gender reveal” party in New York City, got an amazing amount of press, particularly after Flamingo died. The Wild Bird Fund in NYC did a sensational job getting the NY Times to run an article about Flamingo and why domesticated pigeons should never be released (or dyed). We can, and must, build on that momentum.
I have obtained a permit at the California Capital for our protest in Sacramento on 6/13/23. The protest will be from 9 am to 1 pm. I will have tables and signs set up in our permitted location, so anyone attending will be able to find our spot without trouble. Our spot is ideal. It is a grassy area. And, due to the construction all around the Capital, it is also the only pathway state legislators use to get to their offices. 6/13 is a Tuesday, a working day.
Steve and I have also rented an AirBnB for the afternoon and evening before. (6/12/23) The AirBnB is located in West Sacramento in walking distance to the Capital. This location will be our spot to gather together the afternoon and evening before the protest to make our signs and get fired up for the next morning’s protest. Your pigeons are allowed at the AirBnB.
On the day of the protest, our pigeons can also attend. There are strict rules about clean up after any protest. Pigeons must be safely restrained either in their carriers and/or wearing pigeon pants and leashes for their protection and ease of clean up.
If any one of you is thinking – “protesting is really not my thing” – I want to remind you that animal activists have been able to get greyhound racing almost completely banned in this country. Many of us have spent years in rescue and rehab and done tons of education and advocacy for domesticated pigeons. The groundwork has been laid. Let’s take it to the next level on 6/13/23!
Please RSVP to either:
Cynthia Harris (Sindy) at sindyspigeonservice@gmail.com, or
Elizabeth Young at Elizabeth@pigeonrescue.org
There are rooms in the AirBnB available. Please let me know if you wish to be considered for one.
(Join us live online 6/13 at Facebook.com/groups/Palomacy)
