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THE MICHAEL VICK CASE
LEGAL BATTLE
PROTESTS AND CONTROVERSY
FAN SUPPORT, REACTION
OFFICIAL RESPONSES

Vick Protesters March At Falcons Headquarters

POSTED: 8:23 am EDT July 23, 2007
UPDATED: 5:13 pm EDT July 23, 2007

Animal rights protesters marched outside Atlanta Falcons headquarters Monday afternoon.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals organized the protest. The Humane Society of the United States was also there to draw attention to the dogfighting charges against Vick.

The protestors gathered right in front of the gates to the training complex and seemed to get no reaction from team officials.

Roughly four dozen people were outside the main gates at the Flowery Branch compound when the protest started at noon.

Protestors could be heard screaming for the Falcons to kick their star quarterback off the team.

Protestor Mary Paglia said the team officials were not doing their job.

"They have not stepped up to take action," Paglia said. "I think they need to do that."

Vick is waiting to make his first court appearance on the dogfighting charges but he has already been convicted in the minds of many animal rights activists.

On the other side of the entrance to the facility were protestors with another agenda.

Counter-demonstrator Bob Bernstein said they are more concerned about foreign policy and that Vick is being treated unfairly.

"We're basically trying someone in the court of public opinion before we've had any trial at all," Bernstein said.

Nancy Elizabeth Green brought her dog to the demonstration and said she is glad federal authorities have indicted Vick.

"The animal community has heard about this for three years and he's basically been untouchable," Green said. "Thank God. I never thought I'd say this, but thank God for the feds."

People who normally don't protest came out for Monday's rally, including several children wearing handmade T-shirts calling for No. 7's dismissal.

"I don't think it's right to hurt animals because they have emotions," said protestor Miranda Corless.

Protestor Molly Mocure said she has not protested since the '60s.

"Those animals certainly felt pain," Mocure said. "People need to know."

Team officials remain silent on whether they will let Vick play this football season or not.

In a statement released July 19, Falcons owner Arthur Blank said they will let the judicial system carry its course.

Vick is scheduled to be arraigned in a Richmond, Virginia courtroom Thursday.


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