Please join me in protesting the nomination of Michael Vick for an Ed Block Courage Award.
I am doing this as an individual and not on behalf of any organization. The following information is compiled from a variety of sources.
Frank Caesar BranchinI
Edgwater, MD
THE ISSUE
The Ed Block Courage Award is an annual award presented to selected players in the National Football League (NFL), who are voted by their teammates as role models of inspiration, sportsmanship, and courage. The award is administered by the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation. Sponsorship proceeds promote the prevention of child abuse by raising awareness of the epidemic and assisting agencies who provide for the care and treatment of abused children.
Philadelphia Eagles have chosen Michael Vick to win a prestigious award given to the player with the best "commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage."
The awards dinner will take place on March 9, 2010 at Martin’s West in Baltimore.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Letters of protest are needed to:
Ed Block Courage Award Foundation
8808 Orchard Tree Lane
Towson MD 21286
Phone: 410.821.6252
Fax: 410.821.6240
Sam Lamantia - Chairman
sam@edblock.org
Dave Copenhaver - Manager
dave@edblock.org
Here are some points to make:
* There is an alarming association between people who torture, abuse, and kill animals and also commit acts of child abuse and domestic violence.
* Researchers found animal abuse in 88% of those families were there is child abuse.
* A history of animal abuse is considered to be on of the key predictors of violent criminal behavior against people.
* Violent criminals are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against people if they did so against animals as youths.
* It would be helpful for people who are willing to do so to say that if the Foundation goes ahead with this award you will be outside protesting.
Please forward this information to every one you know who care about animals and ask them to forward it to their friends who care about animals.
BACKGROUND
In July 2007, Michael Vick was charged by federal authorities with felony charges of operating an unlawful interstate dog fighting venture known as "Bad Newz Kennels". Vick was accused of financing the operation, directly participating in dog fights and executions, and personally handling thousands of dollars in related gambling activities.
On August 24, Vick filed plea documents with the federal court. He pleaded guilty to "Conspiracy to Travel in Interstate Commerce in Aid of Unlawful Activities and to Sponsor a Dog in an Animal Fighting Venture". He admitted to providing most of the financing for the operation and to participating directly in several dog fights in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and South Carolina. He admitted to sharing in the proceeds from these dog fights. He further admitted that he knew his colleagues killed several dogs who did not perform well. He admitted to being involved in the destruction of 6-8 dogs, by hanging or drowning.
The Baltimore Sun quote Aileen Gabbey, Executive Director of the Maryland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) as saying her organization is “shocked and appalled” Vicke would be awarded for anything:
“I fail to see how he has done anything courageous. He did time. He’s lucky to be employed. I don’t see anything courageous about that. I’m particularly concerned about the message this award sends to kids: that a man who was convicted of severe animal cruelty gains not only a lucrative job nut is specially honored as well.”
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/mutts/blog/2009/12/michael_vick_wins_baltimore_co.html
December 23, 2009
Michael Vick wins Baltimore Courage award
Philadelphia Eagles have chosen Michael Vick to win a prestigious award given to the player with the best "commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage."
Vick was recently released from jail where he served time for his role in a dog-fighting ring.
The Baltimore-based Ed Block Courage Award is given to a player on all 32 teams. It is named for a former Baltimore Colts trainer who was an advocate for abused children. Vick will be honored with other recipients of the award at a ceremony in Baltimore in March.
http://www.edblock.org/content/home
Top Sponsors
Hall Of Fame $1,000,000 Challenge
* The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation
* Art Modell
* Christopher Smith, Baltimore's Tremonts
* Edward St. John, St. John Properties
Team Presenters
* Baltimore Ravens All Community Team Foundation
* CitiFinancial
* Comcast
* The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation
* Merritt Properties
Owners Club
* Live 105.7 The Fan
* Baltimore's Tremonts
* P.F.A.T.S
http://www.edblock.org/content/ed-block-courage-award-recipients
Teammates Select Vick For Honor
http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=19823
Dogfighting Case
Alarming New Information Surfaces About Infamous 2007 Case
Scott MacFarlane
Posted: 5:15 pm EST January 8, 2010Updated: 5:15 pm EST January 8, 2010
WASHINGTON -- The United States Department of Agriculture, in response to a Freedom of Information Act request by WSBTV.COM, has released hundreds of pages of new evidence in its high-profile investigation of NFL quarterback Michael Vick.
The newly released documents include summaries of interrogations conducted by federal investigators with member of Vick's dogfighting ring and with confidential informants in the case.
Among the most noteworthy revelations listed in the papers:
A confidential informant told investigators Vick drowned dogs, shot others to death and killed "them with a shovel." Vick was also accused of getting an "adrenaline high while killing the dogs."
A member of the dogfighting ring said a 5th man, Steven Gregory from Gates County, NC was an "unofficial veterinarian who supplied medical attention to injured dogs."
A Delta Airlines employee from Virginia was fired "when he attempted to get Vick around security" during the peak of the dog fighting operation. Vick "felt responsible" and hired the employee for himself. The employee "had no involvement or knowledge of dog fighting operation."
A Drug Enforcement Agent informed investigators Vick was overheard talking about his fondness for "human growth hormones" during at Atlanta Falcons holiday party in 2006. Vick denied the accusation, according to interview transcripts from the USDA.
Federal investigators questioned Vick about "other NFL players involved in dog fighting." Transcripts show Vick stated he did not.
The former Atlanta Falcons star served nearly two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to a federal animal fighting charge. He was released in 2009. WSBTV.COM, in March 2008, submitted to the USDA a request for "all records, documents and information in files pertaining to 1915 Moonlight Road, Smithfield, Virginia and/or Michael Vick." The request was finally processed and delivered this week.
READ FOR YOURSELF: New Released Documents About Michael Vick Case
A request for information and comment from Vick was not returned by the Philadelphia Eagles NFL franchise, for whom Vick now works.