Thank you, Elaine. That means a lot. I’m grateful you’re part of this community—and for always being among the first who are willing to see what others overlook.
When I read this newsletter, it took me back to having been in LA for the 1984 Games. Today I realize that hosting the world translates to slaughtering the most vulnerable. Locations like LA's Skid Row will be prime "clean up targets". Very disturbing ... the ghosts of the LA fires and the continued incompetency of Mayor Bass will not have gone away by 2028.
Thank you, Rosemary. Your firsthand perspective from the 1984 Games adds powerful context—and your concern is absolutely warranted. We can’t afford to repeat history, especially when the most vulnerable, human and animal alike, are at risk of being “cleaned up” for the sake of appearances.
Look no further back than 2000 when LA hosted the Democratic National Convention. There was an uproar when Council ordered LAAS to round up all the stray dogs. From there the then late LAAS GM Dan Knapp said this will result in more animal deaths and, then, getting into deep do do for saying so.
Consider that LA is in exponentially worse shape now than it was then, it will be a steep uphill climb for the city to ready itself for this. Add to that the numbers coming in for the Olympics vs the DNC.
The poor animals, both human and non-human …'just doesn't seem like it will bode well for them.
Thanks for sharing this, Kathy. Your perspective—and your long history with LA governance—adds important context. You're absolutely right to draw the parallel with the 2000 DNC. If even that scale of event led to such fallout for animals, it's sobering to think how much worse things could be now, given how much the city has deteriorated. The warning signs are flashing, and voices like yours help remind us how high the stakes really are—for both people and animals.
Thank you for the alert, Ed. This event certainly does not bode well for vulnerable populations including (and perhaps, especially) animals. Angelenos need to start mobilizing.
Thank you, Annoula. I couldn’t agree more—mobilizing now is essential. The animals, the environment, and our most vulnerable communities can’t afford to be an afterthought. Grateful for your voice in this fight.
Las Angeles has not proven that they can protect the vulnerable now without the scrutiny of the whole world... Just wait! They will not represent our country well, not as the humane country we are striving to be.
Thank you, Melissa. You put it perfectly—if LA can’t protect the vulnerable now, adding the pressure of global scrutiny will only expose those failures further. Let’s keep pushing for the kind of city—and country—we should be proud to show the world.
Thank you, Christine. Your passion and truth-telling are deeply felt—and absolutely necessary. You speak for so many advocates who’ve poured their hearts into this fight, only to watch the system grow more callous and broken. I hope you'll consider sharing this powerful comment in the article's public thread so others can read, resonate, and stand with you. Your voice matters—and it needs to be heard.
There, once again, you see clearly what most people never think of. Thank you.
Thank you, Elaine. That means a lot. I’m grateful you’re part of this community—and for always being among the first who are willing to see what others overlook.
When I read this newsletter, it took me back to having been in LA for the 1984 Games. Today I realize that hosting the world translates to slaughtering the most vulnerable. Locations like LA's Skid Row will be prime "clean up targets". Very disturbing ... the ghosts of the LA fires and the continued incompetency of Mayor Bass will not have gone away by 2028.
Thank you, Rosemary. Your firsthand perspective from the 1984 Games adds powerful context—and your concern is absolutely warranted. We can’t afford to repeat history, especially when the most vulnerable, human and animal alike, are at risk of being “cleaned up” for the sake of appearances.
Look no further back than 2000 when LA hosted the Democratic National Convention. There was an uproar when Council ordered LAAS to round up all the stray dogs. From there the then late LAAS GM Dan Knapp said this will result in more animal deaths and, then, getting into deep do do for saying so.
Consider that LA is in exponentially worse shape now than it was then, it will be a steep uphill climb for the city to ready itself for this. Add to that the numbers coming in for the Olympics vs the DNC.
The poor animals, both human and non-human …'just doesn't seem like it will bode well for them.
Thanks for sharing this, Kathy. Your perspective—and your long history with LA governance—adds important context. You're absolutely right to draw the parallel with the 2000 DNC. If even that scale of event led to such fallout for animals, it's sobering to think how much worse things could be now, given how much the city has deteriorated. The warning signs are flashing, and voices like yours help remind us how high the stakes really are—for both people and animals.
Thank you for the alert, Ed. This event certainly does not bode well for vulnerable populations including (and perhaps, especially) animals. Angelenos need to start mobilizing.
Thank you, Annoula. I couldn’t agree more—mobilizing now is essential. The animals, the environment, and our most vulnerable communities can’t afford to be an afterthought. Grateful for your voice in this fight.
Las Angeles has not proven that they can protect the vulnerable now without the scrutiny of the whole world... Just wait! They will not represent our country well, not as the humane country we are striving to be.
Thank you, Melissa. You put it perfectly—if LA can’t protect the vulnerable now, adding the pressure of global scrutiny will only expose those failures further. Let’s keep pushing for the kind of city—and country—we should be proud to show the world.
Once again, you nailed it.
Thank you, Judy! I always appreciate your encouragement—grateful to have you reading and standing with us.
Thank you, Christine. Your passion and truth-telling are deeply felt—and absolutely necessary. You speak for so many advocates who’ve poured their hearts into this fight, only to watch the system grow more callous and broken. I hope you'll consider sharing this powerful comment in the article's public thread so others can read, resonate, and stand with you. Your voice matters—and it needs to be heard.