I would like to share my frustration regarding an incident with Shriner’s senior chairman Lionel Rowe, in a scuffle involving a member of Animal Rights Group, Ottawa Animal Defense League (OADL) member Len Goldberg.
As someone who’s personally had a brush with this same organization; several years ago when I brought my young daughters to the Shriners Circus at the St Laurent Mall, I know exactly the frustration Mr. Rowe must be feeling. (Well, everything but the being charged with assault part)
Evidently the OADL was finally successful in suckering someone into a fight; as I’m quite sure this was their intent all along with this upstanding member of the Shriners. The OADL tried the same tactic on me which, fortunately remained nothing more than a shouting match. (I made sure to remain calm and keep my cool)
The Ottawa SUN confirmed in an article yesterday that “The chairman of the Capital Shrine Club is to appear in court this month after a protester was allegedly choked outside a Shrine Circus performance at the RA Centre last year.”
The report went-on to say; “The OADL claims Len Goldberg was participating in a legal protest, sanctioned by a City of Ottawa permit, on public property near the RA Centre. It claims Goldberg was assaulted with a choke-hold that lasted about 30 seconds and only ended when the attacker’s hands were pried off”
During the incident I had with this OADL, my passage to the Shrine Circus was actually blocked by these so-called legal protestors handing out propaganda pamphlets. One member of the group told me (as I walked hand-in-hand with my daughters) that I should be ASHAMED that I was subjecting my kids to such animal cruelty!
Cruelty? I asked, as I went-on to explain to this individual that I was a supporter of the Shriners and all the good work they carry-out in their children’s hospitals.
We exchanged a few words but there was no reasoning with this bunch.
He would not listen to anything I had to say and went-on to berate me for my support of the Shriners. (One of my daughter’s was crying by this point) Feeling me heart-rate on the rise, I choose to push past the barking sound of his megaphone, but not before tossing a few pamphlets in the air!
Although I felt like tackling this individual to the ground myself, I knew it would get me nowhere and only serve to further their cause.
Evidently in the case of Shriner’s chairman Lionel Rowe, he was unable to keep his cool, allowing another misguided animal rights group another small victory.
Yes, in a twisted sort of way, lawsuits of this nature play right into their hands!
My thoughts go out to Mr. Rowe and the rest of the Shriners. May this one unfortunate incident NOT tarnish the image of an organization that donates millions each year to aid crippled children, at no cost to the families, I might add.
Whose needs are being served by the Ottawa Animal Defense League?
I have no idea…it certainly isn’t the animals.
Outdoorsguy
Yes Jeff this is an unfortunate situation. There is no point in even engaging these type of people in a conversation. Oh they wanted this type of altercation so it will serve to bring attention to there cause. If one could predict where and when these nut cases would plan there next “legal” demonstration a couple air horns is a good answer for one of these idiots that is getting in your face. Again they’re like wolves who can only fight in a pack and normally single out the weak, the old or the young. It’s too bad the Shriners could not sue the city for issuing a permit to this group to harass there legal event which they had to get a permit also. The city had to of known what was going to happen and therefore are guilty also for not providing protection for all involved.
they can not stop your forward process ….. we need to get about 100 guys and parade by these fools none stop with a officer present…. i will not and do not tolorate the bullshit from these people at anytime or place, i will never hide my face when it comes to what i like to do legally in my own time….
Very upsetting, nothing a good can of bear spray may have solved. These people are all the same, at the end of the world they will be the first ones to starve to death. hmmm
I agree with Paul…AIR HORNS would be a great Idea!
As well, perhaps Mr. should have his lawyer subpeona the City and grill them on the permit for the Eco~Fascists…
I have an issue with any organization that exploits animals. Maybe you should do some research on how circus elephants are trained. No animal deserves to be treated like that. Do some research on elephants in general, and you will see a circus is no life for them. In many areas around the world, the use of wild animals in circuses has been banned. Someone has to stand up and speak out for these poor animals, and I am thankful there are people who will. The cruelty has to end. Why can’t the Shriners do their circus without the wild animals? Then everyone would be happy, including the animals. But maybe you don’t care about that because they are just animals.
Instead of trying to come up with ways to do battle with the protesters, why don’t you try to come up with ways to end the animal cruelty.
I personally know the man who was attacked and all of the details. I saw the original video (I think it is on youtube). He was assulted. Whether or not you agree with the protests is nit rhe issue. Someone of the Shriners association put his hands on another idividual in a very aggressive manner. THAT is the issue. There are many ways to support the shriners geeat work for kids that doesn’t envolve beating elephants.. many families attending the cir us left early because animals were in distress and their children became upset when whips were used. Again the issue isn’t even the conditions the animals were kept or the cruelty the endure (has been documented undercover, by patrons and employees).. the issue is that A PERSON was attacked.. their organization should not matter. And for the record, police were in site just not at the time of the incident..
Nowhere in your article do you mention the reason for the protests against the Shriner’s circus. Animals are forcibly taken from the wild, away from their families and shipped all around the world to live in confinement and servitude for the rest of their lives. There are many examples of animals in these circuses who suffer abuse and neglect, all for the sake of “entertainment.” The world is changing and people are recognizing that a circus with animals is no longer acceptable. Evolution is a good thing and moving towards treating all creatures with respect and compassion is to be applauded, not mocked. Helping children is important, but in the 21st century there are far more effective ways to give back than by participating in animal abuse.
Lynda, the reasons for the protest were of little importance in this article. Those issues have been covered here (at great length) many times. I was merely pointing-out that protest tactics used by this group, as I have witnessed firsthand, often place them in direct conflict with the public. As Judge Judy would say..But for the presence of the OADL this incident would not have occurred”
Intimidation and insult are not something the general population respond well to..although they do make headlines, don’t they?
I am certainly NOT condoning assault..as this gentleman obviously lost control, but I can see how it would happen. A ‘set-up for failure’ if you will….
Outdoorsguy
I have an issue with any organization that exploits animals. Maybe you should do some research on how circus elephants are trained. No animal deserves to be treated like that. Do some research on elephants in general, and you will see a circus is no life for them. In many places around the world, the use of wild animals in circuses has been banned. Someone has to stand up and speak out for these poor animals, and I am thankful there are people who will. The cruelty has to end. Why can’t the Shriners do their circus without the wild animals? Then everyone would be happy, including the animals. But maybe you don’t care about that because they are just animals.
Instead of trying to come up with ways to do battle with the protesters, why don’t you try to come up with ways to end the animal cruelty.
Elle,
If you support the efforts like PETA then you too need to do some serious research rather than coming into the outdoors life style arena and spewing your venom. PETA are nothing more than a group of civil disobedient anarchists who cause more harm to animals than any organization. As for the use of whips on elephants I would suggest that this practice does not harm the animal at all. The whip is used to draw the animal’s attention by the noise that is created by the whip. Further more if it wasn’t for zoos and circuses these animals would suffer a terrible death in the wild as mother nature has no rules at all to abide by.
On another note; do you wear make up, perfume and nylons ?
Elle, your statement; “But maybe you don’t care about that because they are just animals” shows that you have no idea what we(hunters/conservationists) are really all about…
Outdoorsguy
Jeff, these people should be put on a small island. They are the real morons, uneducated and opinionated. People like this give me ulcers and bad gas, they are like politicians, lots to say about nothing!
Urgent news update regarding Ontario Spring Bear Hunt:
http://blogs.canoe.ca/outdoorsguy/hunting/wynne-approves-experimental-spring-bear-hunt/
Outdoorsguy