Posts Tagged ‘Laura Leigh’

Pro-Horse Movement on a Roll

Posted: December 7, 2011 by R.T. Fitch in Horse News
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by R.T. Fitch ~ Author/President Wild Horse Freedom Federation

No News IS Good News

As all of you equine advocates are aware, the past several weeks have not been the best for our companion, four-legged friends, the American horse.  Between the roar of helicopter blades and the gavel of Congress there has been a full-scale war waged upon the benevolent friend of all Americans, the horse, but please take heart…we are NOT going away.  In fact, we are becoming more galvanized by the second, hence, the lack of a lot of news coming out of SFTHH.  We are busy.

There are a multitude of issues working, behind the scenes, right now.  The bulk of their respective successes depend upon funding so all of them will not be addressed in this outcry but Terry and I pledge to do our best to support all legitimate exercises as well as we can.  Today I would like to focus on two; even though Christmas looms over our collective heads there really has never been a better time to do the right thing than right now, so for the first time, you are going to hear me make a plea for funding, you have no idea how much this pains me.

1.)  In all fairness, I will speak to our organization first, the Wild Horse Freedom Federation.  We are a pending 501(c)3 org and any donations will be tax-deductible BUT we are standing on the brink of one of the most landmark cases against the U.S. government, on behalf of the wild horses, that has ever been put forward.  You all have heard of Laura Leigh as plaintiff in her “First Amendment” case that is being heard by the 9th circuit on January 9th, next month.  This case is a win/win for the wild horses and there is a great interest in the 9th Circuit on this case along with the associated press related agencies that have thrown their hats in the ring.  The BLM does NOT want you to know what they are doing with YOUR horses and we are going to make them pony-up.  It is getting intense and our legal staff is growing so that Laura’s two years of work does what it is supposed to do; make a difference.  This is landmark stuff, not the legal plagiarism that you have seen in the recent past from other Wild Horse organizations, this is pure gold from the very best animal, advocate attorneys in the land.

Our problem is that legal time equals money and as a whole, the few private parties involved cannot continue to carry the burden, we need your help.  Professional fundraising is only a few short weeks away but in the meantime we need to pay our lawyers so for the first time, you are going to hear me plead for help.  (help)

If you donate to WHFF’s legal fund it all goes to the legal fund, Terry and I have been picking up costs.  If you donate to the Field and Fuel fund it will all go to keeping Laura in the field doing what the attorneys want her to do, DOCUMENT.  We need help there, too.

Overall, we are bagging the entire idea of giving gifts to each other this year for Christmas in an effort to give the gift of life to the horses.  Again, I have never asked for money but if we are ever going to make a difference for the wild horses and burros, now is the time.  We are not your standard wild horse/burro group, we are litigators and through the tool of the Federal courts, we WILL make a difference.  Remember, Wild Horse Annie did it and we intend to make her proud so please, we need your help to be a part of history to make this happen.

2.)  A serious plug, here, for our good friends at Equine Welfare Alliance.  They are NOT sitting still over the horse slaughter issue and have a very clever plan put in place to rock the socks off from the horse-eaters.  But, like us, for the first time they are soliciting funds in an effort to make it happen.  So, being that all of you have a big heart; instead of buying that cup of five dollar coffee or that pack of cigarettes maybe it would do both your heart and soul some good to swing by their website and drop a few coins in their bucket.  EWA has been around for years and never solicited a dime but due to the lobbying efforts of a perverted minority and the progression of an agenda by a handful of sick individuals we need to help EWA build a war chest so that they can respond in like, not in a perverted fashion but all in the upper loop, make things happen.  Our government is not run by the will of the people but instead by the whim of the dollar and to succeed, we need to respond in kind.

So my apologies, here, but we need you help in fighting the good the fight in an effort to save the last of our remaining wild horses and burros.  We are transparent and totally above-board with every penny donated appreciated and accounted for.  But January 9th is looming and we need to get to work.  Please swing by WHFF and lend a hand…we thank you, in advance, for your support…as do the horses.

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Breaking News: Wild Horse Freedom Federation Moving Forward with Multi-State Campaign

Posted: November 15, 2011 by R.T. Fitch in Horse News, Wild Burros
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Update by R.T. Fitch ~ Author/President of Wild Horse Freedom Federation

Wild Burros in Texas/Wild Horses in Nevada

Marjorie Farabee and photographer Terry Fitch at Washington D.C. Rally for the Mustangs, 9/25/2011 ~ photo by R.T. Fitch

This day, November 15th, 2011 Wild Horse Freedom Federation‘s Board of Directors are on the move in both the states of Nevada and Texas in an effort to witness, document and speak out for our wild horses and burros as the organization pushes forward in the battle to save the last of our wild equines.

In south-east Texas WHFF Directors Terry Fitch and Marjorie Farabee are saddling up the big Dodge Dually 4X4 with a trailer full of donkeys, wagon and tack to take across the entire width of Texas to make a stand for the wild burros being shot and executed in the world famous Big Bend State Park by the Texas Park and Wildlife Department.  From Houston all the way over to Alpine, Texas Terry and Marjorie will travel to hold a town hall meeting with local residents on how to stop the bloodshed; then several days of participating and demonstrating in the local Art Fair and associated parades.  They will spend a week spreading the word, drumming up support and attempting to secure photographs of the last living wild burro herd in Texas before the Rick Perry administration guns down the very last burro so that high dollar big horn sheep can be installed for the pleasure of elite and wealthy hunters.  Terry promises to keep us updated with the progress with their travels.

Meanwhile, WHFF’s Vice President, Laura Leigh will be making the trek to the Calico Complex, this weekend, where the BLM is once again planning to assail the herd that they all but decimated two short years ago.  Armed with her camera and laptop Laura will continue to gather information, data and evidence to support currently working legal cases in federal court and developing suits that will be slapped upon the rogue agency in an effort to save the few remaining wild horses that run free on their rightful public lands.  As many of you may recall, dozens of horses died at Calico, two years ago, due to the inhumane manner in which the horses were stampeded and ultimately cared for, or lack there of.  We all remember the foal who was run by a helicopter until it’s feet fell off.  An occurrence that speaks to the depths of the cruelty inherent in the BLM and the contractors that they employ.

Stay tuned, updates shall be forth coming!!!

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Wild Horse Advocates Give Voices to Those Who Cannot Speak for Themselves

Posted: March 18, 2011 by R.T. Fitch in Horse News
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Videos by Simone Netherlands and YouTuber Triskal (let us know who you are)

Full Wild Horse Press Conference and Comments to BLM Advisory Board

Press Conference, March 10, 2011, Phoenix Arizona (in sequence)

Mix of Advocate Comments to BLM Board March 11, 2011

Rachel Reeves

Ginger Kathrens

Laura Leigh

Craig Downer

R.T. Fitch

 

Wild Horse Protest Press Conference

Posted: March 14, 2011 by R.T. Fitch in Horse News, Wild Horses/Mustangs
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Courtesy of Simone Netherlands and Elyse Gardner

Part One

 

Part Two

Part Three


More to follow when made available

Madeleine Pickens to Join Wild Horse Advocates and Celebs at Mustang Rally

Posted: March 8, 2011 by R.T. Fitch in Horse News, Wild Horses/Mustangs
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Update from SFTHH

Wild Horse Rally Gains Momentum

Wild Horse advocate Madeleine Pickens will be joining Dances with Wolves Author, Michael Blake, author Deanne Stillman, filmmaker Ginger Kathrens, artist Laura Leigh, author R.T. Fitch and equine advocate Simone Netherlands in a wild horse advocates’ press conference on Thursday, March 10 preceding the controversial Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Advisory Board Meeting.

As the nation simmers over not only the cruelty but the arrogant waste of millions of tax dollars being spent by the Obama administration on unnecessary wild horse and burro roundups citizens from across the country are gathering in Phoenix, this week, in an effort to voice their disdain and condemnation over the failed and defunct BLM wild horse and burro program.

Equine advocacy groups The Cloud Foundation, Respect4Horses, The Habitat for Horses Advisory Council, Grassroots Horse, and American Wild Horse Advocates are represented and have banded together to demand that the BLM halt all roundups and to cease squandering the hard earned tax dollars of American citizens.

Under the mismanagement of BLM Director Bob Abbey the agency has stripped tens of thousands of federally protected wild horses and burros from public lands where once millions roamed free.  Annually the BLM conducts inhumane and deadly helicopter stampedes which result in death, injury and ultimately horses lost in a bureaucratic holding system where confined horses are estimated to outnumber free equines by a ratio of two to one.

The press conference of advocates is being held to alert the media to the travesty that is the BLM wild horse program and to garner attention and further understanding from the American public in general.

While the beleaguered Board conducts their two daylong meeting there will be alternative activities conducted by wild horse advocates which will inform the public and strengthen the movement’s solidarity. (schedule below)

The general public is encouraged and welcome to participate in these activities.

Thursday March 10th:

11:30am- 12:30pm: Press Conference at the Phoenix downtown Sheraton Hotel, 340 N. 3rd street.

1:00 pm -5:00 pm: BLM Advisory Board Meeting begins

7:00pm-8:00pm: Candlelight vigil for the wild horses and burros who have died and suffered at the hands of the BLM beginning in front of the Sheraton

Friday March 11th :

8:00am - 9:00am BLM Advisory Board Meeting resumes

9:00am- 12:00pm: Public Comment period of meeting, press encouraged to attend.

12:00am – 2:00pm Demonstration/ Protest beginning in front of the Sheraton Phoenix downtown hotel (340 N. 3rd street)

1:00pm – 5:00pm BLM Advisory Board Meeting concludes

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NV Congresswoman Speaks Out on Obama BLM Animal Cruelty at Wild Horse Stampede

Posted: February 4, 2011 by R.T. Fitch in Horse News, Wild Horses/Mustangs
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Reported by Brooke Boone from Reno’s NBC Channel 4

BLM Says They Will “Look Into It” But Dangerous Pilot Still Flying

Click on above image to view the Broadcast and to Comment ~ Photo by Laura Leigh

The disturbing images of the roundup going on in eastern Nevada have upset many. We showed Nevada Congresswoman Shelley Berkley the video and she was appalled by the pilots behavior. Shelly Berkley–”I was troubled by images from the recent wild horse roundup. The Bureau of Land Management must ensure that all rules are followed during any roundup. Those who are hired to perform wild horse roundups must obey these rules and if they fail to do so, appropriate steps should be taken.”

Action was taken only after I showed the video to the BLM’s Chief Washington spokesperson, Tom Gorey. He says an investigation is underway involving Sun-J, the helicopter contractor for the round-up in this video. Gorey says “It will certainly involve questioning Sun-J and the pilot and matters related to this incident.” Even with this investigation, the BLM tells me the pilot in this video remains on the job.

Since our story first aired on Monday, we received new photos of a helicopter buzzing horses. Witnesses claim these photos were taken on Monday, after the BLM knew of the problem — the BLM says they believe the photos were taken the same day of the video… Just from a different angle.

But no matter when those pictures were taken, this is not the first time the BLM has had to deal with complaints about helicopter pilots. Seven months ago this video was taken at an Oregon roundup. At first glance it looks like a horse is flipped by a helicopter pilot. BLM calls this video “bogus.” Gorey says, “There is a shadow of the helicopter that makes it appear the horse is flipped over. But no such incident occurred.

We are not saying what happened. You make the call on that. But we do know the helicopter was flying close to the horses.

Today, News 4 went as far as calling Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar to get some answers. He runs the Bureau of Land Management. So far, we have not received a response.

News 4 will continue to follow this story and update you, the viewer, on the internal investigation as that information becomes available.

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Heavy Cop Presence at Twin Peaks Keeps Contractor Hiding Place Off Limits

Posted: August 27, 2010 by R.T. Fitch in Horse News, Wild Horses/Mustangs
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by Steven Long ~ Editor/Publisher of Horseback Magazine

Armed Law Enforcement Out Number 4 Credentialed Reporters at Wild Horse Stampede

A sampling of the vehicles that were protecting the BLM Contractor (Cattoors) from the four members of the press (Your Tax Dollars at Work) ~ Photo by Terry Fitch

TWIN PEAKS, CA (Horseback) – A heavy, armed police presence protected America and the Federal Bureau of Land Management wild horse stampede  contractor from four journalists and no anti-BLM activists at the “gather” held today at Twin Peaks, according to Horseback Magazine’s R.T. Fitch at the site. There were two reporters and a photographer representing the Texas based magazine, as well as a videographer working for the New York Times, a paper which was provided unfettered access earlier this week while other media organizations and citizen observers were kept at bay.

“Why are we being kept away,” the Times photog asked, incredulous that she wasn’t given the same deferential treatment as her colleagues had been afforded earlier in the week before Horseback Online exposed BLM’s media favoritism and attempt spin its story to the powerful national paper.

She was told the captured horses were being held on private land and the landowner had prohibited outsiders from coming on his property, the usual reason BLM has refused access to its trap sites.

Hand on side arm and ready for action against the three female and one male members of the press ~ Photo by Terry Fitch

Fitch reported there were four armed BLM rangers, one armed sheriff, and multiple agency staff members guarding the two horses captured Friday from the intruding press. Chief photographer Terry Fitch took a photograph of the cars of personnel protecting the contractor from the press. The stampede helicopter and its operators have been the subject of intense scrutiny after scores of horses have died at recent “gathers.” The roundup was called off at 9 a.m. because the helicopter from Cattoor Livestock Roundups of Nephi, UT. could find no horses.

Fewer and few wild horses are to be found in the West in the wake of relentless roundups by the federal agency. Critics allege they are clearing the animals from the land for the utilization of special interest groups.

The chief of the BLM’s security detail at Twin Peaks has refused an on the record interview with Horseback regarding the reason for such a heavy police presence being paid for by the American taxpayers when there has never been an apparent threat.

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