Month: January 2015

Autopsy Reveals LAPD Shot Ezell Ford in the Back

Originally published on January 1, 2015, at NationofChange.org

Under pressure from the mayor of Los Angeles, the LAPD finally released Ezell Ford’s autopsy report to the public. According to the report, an LAPD officer shot Ford in the right arm and right side while a second officer shot him in the back at close range. Although the officers claim Ford attempted to grab one of their guns, witnesses do not corroborate their account.

At approximately 8:10pm on August 11, officers Sharlton Wampler and Antonio Villegas of LAPD’s Newton Area Gang Enforcement Detail saw Ford walking down the sidewalk and decided to conduct an investigative stop. According to an LAPD press release, Wampler and Villegas exited their vehicle and attempted to talk to Ford who continued walking while concealing his hands. As the officers approached Ford, he allegedly grabbed one of them and a struggle ensued.

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PETA Proposes Shareholder Vote to Return SeaWorld Animals to the Ocean

Originally published on December 30, 2014, at NationofChange.org

As attendance, revenue, and stock prices continue to plummet due to public reaction to the 2013 documentary Blackfish, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has submitted a shareholder resolution to retire SeaWorld’s captive animals and return them to the ocean in large coastal sea pens for rehabilitation. After multiple musicians cancelled their concerts at SeaWorld this year in protest of animal cruelty, SeaWorld announced the firing of 311 employees and the resignation of its CEO. Appearing confident that PETA will not win the shareholder vote, SeaWorld is considering selling some of its captive orcas to Chinese corporations instead.

In the wild, killer whales swim up to 100 miles a day and live in appropriate climates for their species. Each group speaks their own unique dialect and stay with family members for life. Not a single report exists of a person being killed by an orca in the wild.

In captivity, killer whales live shortened life spans and have caused the deaths of at least four people. SeaWorld’s orcas are often prescribed daily medications to treat chronic diseases brought on by close confinement. Separating killer whale mothers from their calves causes severe physical and psychological damage resulting in lacerating their faces and breaking their teeth against the gates separating mothers from their children. Exhibiting unnatural aggression and collapsed dorsal fins, some orcas have been placed on Valium to reduce their stress levels and violence against their trainers or each other.

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