Michael Vick and the Protest

My husband and I joined the protesters across the street from the Michael Vick autograph signing today. We were there from about 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and were actually pretty surprised and very heartened that the number of protesters equaled the number of fans. For some reason, the protesters, many of whom own pit bulls, were not allowed to have their dogs with them, even if the dog was a "gentler" breed and not a pit bull. This was unfortunate, as perhaps being faced with Vick's victims the fans may have come around. 

While it was wonderful to see such solidarity against animal cruelty, I was a little disappointed in the ad hominem attacks and plain untruths being thrown out around me. We heard everything from "Michael Vick is a terrorist" to "Get back on the unemployment line" (directed at fans) and so on. We heard assertions that Vick and his followers were drug dealers, abusers of women and so on, and it was to the detriment of the protest movement.  What he did was bad enough.There was no need to push it to another level of hyperbole, lies, and insults. 

Only a small subset of the protesters engaged in this behavior, however. Most protesters held up pictures of abused and killed dogs or signs with slogans such as "The hand that signs your autograph is covered in blood!" A loud "boo" went up every time another fan emerged from the store with newly-signed memorabilia. Surely Vick heard the commotion non-stop for two or more hours. Many of the fans shot back at us such things as "Don't you have anything better to do today?" My husband shouted the obvious reply, "Don't you?"

Another self-righteously shouted, "So I guess you all are vegetarian then, huh?" assuming we were not and thus hypocritical. I shouted back, "Actually, we're vegan, and I work as a wildlife rehabilitator, saving animals every day of my life." But the personal insults flew on each side, protesters insisting the fans were ignorant, low-class, greedy, immoral, unemployed and heartless, fans insisting the protesters were stupid, hypocritical, jealous, crazy and more. Other comments included a group of teenage fans insisting his crimes were okay because of how rich he was and protesters yelling at parents who had brought children to see Vick that he was the worst of role models and they should be ashamed. I suppose there is no polite way to disagree so fundamentally. 

All the while, no less than 20 cops stood motionless, facing the protesters with zip-tie handcuffs at the ready. Other officers escorted fans from the line across streets and to their cars to protect them from the angry protesters, I imagine, though, certainly no protection was necessary as the protest was peaceful. One officer politely bid us to have a nice day when we eventually left the protest. I think they handled it well, for the most part, though several officers were clearly on the fans' sides, laughing and conversing with fans who had just left the signing. Representatives of the law should always remain impartial in situations like these, of course.

All in all, I'm glad I went, but disappointed so many people showed up to support this man and that a shop in my town allowed the event to take place.