CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER- Cinch World's Toughest Rodeo Protest

Tonight's protest is canceled due to dangerous weather. We ask that you participate in this call to action instead:

CALL TO ACTION:
Cinch World's Toughest Rodeo is today at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Reach out to your lawmakers to advocate for the animals. Forward thinking cities want to be known for creating laws that protect animals instead of allowing violence-based entertainment at the expense of animals in rodeos.

The following statement can be shared with city council members.

Copy/Paste:

Dear St Paul City Council Members,

The Cinch World's Toughest Rodeo will yet again be in our city this weekend using and abusing animals for entertainment.
The only animals who are trained to participate in rodeos are horses. The majority of animal “athletes” in rodeos have no idea what is happening and are reacting purely out of fear. Calf roping, steer tripping, and “mutton busting” (a children’s event involving riding sheep) all rely on an animal’s fear/flight instinct to be successful. Terrified and confused animals are roped or ridden as they flee the loud sounds of the arena. Painful electric prods are often used to encourage animals to run faster out of the chute. These cruel tools are also used on bucking bulls. Tight “bucking straps” and sharp spurs are typically used to bring out a stronger reaction from the bulls.

Animal deaths are widespread in rodeo events. They are even more common in rodeo practice. Calf and steer roping involve bringing large, heavy animals to a complete stop by the neck from a dead sprint. Roping is a recipe for serious injuries of the neck, spine and back. Snapped necks and broken backs of calves and steers are some of the most common causes of death.

It’s past time that our city takes a stance against animal abuse.
Ensure regulations are changed to protect the animals and that those laws are enforced. Other communities have prohibited rodeos and tools of torture. We need similar legislation in our city.
Signed – (your name)

Mayor Melvin Carter
651-266-8510
https://www.stpaul.gov/depart.../mayors-office/contact-mayor
https://www.stpaul.gov/department/city-council
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Cinch World's Toughest Rodeo is coming back to Minneapolis on February 3rd and 4th to exploit animals for "entertainment." at the Xcel Energy Center.

This rodeo includes bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, and barrel racing. The horses, bulls, and steer, often suffer broken ribs, backs, and legs, torn tails, punctured lungs, internal organ damage, ripped tendons, torn ligaments, snapped necks, and agonizing deaths. More information on why rodeos are cruel can be found here: https://www.britannica.com/explore/savingearth/rodeo-cruelty-forget-the-myth

These animals did not sign up for this, and they deserve better.

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