Animal rights activists targeted an annual rodeo on the Tweed Coast last weekend, describing the event a ‘cruel and barbaric sport’.
Up to 40 people from around the northern rivers under the banner of the Rainbow Animal Rights Activists (RaRa), took on the Cabarita Bull and Bronc Rodeo at Cabarita Beach Pony Club (see pictures).
The protest aimed to raise awareness about the mistreatment on the animals used in the rodeo, which includes electric prods, and genital flank straps to provoke them to ‘entertain’.
And it seems the message got through to some locals, with two families deciding against seeing the show after hearing what the protesters had to say.
An organiser said further similar protests against such events would be held this year and urged concerned people to get on board.
Nicole Tuhou said it was a very successful action with protesters activists from Byron shire to the Sunshine Coast ‘came to show their concerns about the cruel sport that is the rodeo’.
‘The mission of Rainbow Animal Rights Activists (RaRa) is to spread the message of kindness and compassion to all living beings, to show the world that Animals are not ours to use in any way shape or form, whether it be for food, fashion or entertainment,’ Ms Tuhou said.
‘RaRa holds a very firm stance on non-judgment, love and kindness.
‘Rodeos are a cruel and barbaric sport, where innocent, usually gentle beings are thrust into an arena full of lights and noise, where they are then provoked to buck.
‘They are provoked by spurs, electric prods and flank straps tied painfully around their genital area.
‘Anyone who has witnessed a bull or horse bucking knows that they are highly agitated and distressed.
‘Many animals are injured in rodeos and have to be euthanised as a result, the most recent being a Bull at the 2017 Adelaide rodeo, he broke his hind leg whilst bucking, and had to be put to sleep.
‘We believe there were many powerful seeds planted at this rodeo, as most people are just unaware, we had two families turn around after deciding not to got inside after seeing our tribe protesting, and looking at the information provided by the activists.’
For more info on the group, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/rainbowanimalrights/
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