One of the concerns arising from the reinstatement of quarterback Mike Vick was/is that his return to the NFL will spark demonstrations at football stadiums from folks who are opposed to Vick.
As it turns out, the demonstration planned for Vick’s first pro game since December 2006 will be supporting him.
According to Sal Paolantonio of ESPN, the Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP, the Black Clergy of Philadelphia, and
other local civil rights groups plan “a massive demonstration” for Thursday night’s game between the Eagles and the Jaguars.
“We believe Michael Vick has served his time, paid his debt to society
and deserves a second chance and the animal rights groups want to hold
him hostage for the rest of his life,” J. Whyatt Mondesire, president
of the Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP, told Paolantonio. “We think
that’s patently unfair. It denies Michael Vick’s basic civil rights,
denies him his ability to make a living.” [Editor's note: As it turns out, Mondesire has an interesting history with Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.]
The Eagles currently aren’t expecting any demonstrations or protests from animal-rights groups. Instead, animal advocates plan to host a tailgate party at a different location.
The event will be part of the “2nd Chance Dogs” campaign.
“As a lot of people have pointed out, [Vick's] animals never got a
second chance,” Pennsylvania SPCA chief executive Sue Cosby told Paolantonio. “We need to speak
for them.”
Meanwhile, with Vick employing a “crisis manager” and with folks from the Eagles involved in meetings with animal-rights groups, we’d sure love to know whether Vick’s people or the team had any role in organizing or encouraging the pro-Vick demonstration.
Maybe we’re too cynical, but we’ve got a feeling that the Eagles and/or Vick’s handlers either instigated or aided the planned demonstration.
And to think some idiot on another post said I was being racist…. Here comes the NAACP claiming its all because he’s black…..
Hahahaha wow, is there a quota on how many anti Vick / Eagles post you have to put up in one day?
God forbid the NAACP come up with something on their own… your such a hack!
One benefit to the Eagles picking up Vick instead of any other team is that they knew they would not have to wory about gameday protests. I mean what pea-brained tree hugging idiot in their right mind would go to protest anything against the Eagles at the Linc? They would get demolished, and the front office knew that he fans would police that on our own, they would never have to worry about it.
Im all for these Pro Vick demonstrations, as long as they dont go all Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton about it. I only hope they handle it with redemption in mind, and not make a race issue out of it.
“we’d sure love to know whether Vick’s people or the team had any role in organizing or encouraging the pro-Vick demonstration.”
Place that under “duh.” I can’t imagine the demonstration coming out “spontaneously” without Vick’s and the Eagles’ support.
“It denies Michael Vick’s basic civil rights, denies him his ability to make a living.”
How does it violate his civil rights to say he shouldn’t work for a particular company? They are saying not that “he should be allowed to,” they are implying that he has a right to. Rights are one thing. Playing at the highest level in the NFL is a priviledge. There is a large difference between the two.
Just read this on ESPN…
Florio. A bit quicker on the draw please. Their article already has 1300 comments…
And with that
WELCOME BACK MV7 !!!
we’ve missed you…
The smartest thing i heard was for both parties to form together to help out inner city dog fighting instead of wasting a cause on this… he’s already back in the league and gonna play… theirs NO WAY the eagles or vick had a part in this, it just shows your real inner judgement on the team and situation, and that you have no real insight on the city.. this doesnt help Vick, the african american community or the animal activist.. they could be using themselves for better uses thoughtout the city..
Do they also believe in second chances for child molesters and rapists? They “serve their time” and “pay their debt to society” as well.
Unless I see these guys welcoming those monsters back into the community with open arms, then this is a grotesquely misguided publicity stunt.
I believe Vick deserves a chance to play in the NFL again (albeit on a short leash…no pun intended.)
But it is despicable how everything is tilted into racism. Will the NAACP hold a vigil when Matt Jones gets another opportunity?
REALLY?! No way! I wonder… if Peyton Manning did what Vick did, do you think they would say the same thing? AND, demonstrate on behalf of Peyton paying his debt to society?
Hmmm…I wonder.
hmm a PLANNED demonstration, of course, MUST BE! How could ANYONE not want to see Vick suffer the rest of his life? So anything PRO VICK is PLANNED, but there “protesters” who showed up all of ONE day, were ADMITTED PLANTS from private animal groups, and have no ties or any connection at all with Philadelphia, let alone the Eagles. Now not all were “plants”, others were Philadelphians who claimed to be Eagles fans, but have never been to a game and couldnt name more than 3 players on the team. So FLORIO, instead of PURELY SPECULATING that the POSITIVE gatherings are “staged”, why not say ANYTHING about the NEGATIVE protest that WAS PLANNED? Just PLEASE answer that ONE question.
I’m pretty sure that it would be a pro-Vick “rally”, not “demonstration”…
Publicity whores on either side of this one just can’t resist, can they?
I don’t know what is more sad for the NAACP-having a protest FOR the dog killer or pummeling Bill Cosby for 75% illegitamacy rates. Does the NAACP live in the Bizarro world?
Maybe the SPCA should worry about there own.
“Dog Belonging to CEO of Richmond SPCA Dies After Being Left in Hot Car.”
That statement is bold enough.
Vick-Haters
Whos says jobs are disappearing? “crisis managers” and “prison consultants” are fast growing fields.
“Maybe we’re too cynical, but we’ve got a feeling that the Eagles and/or Vick’s handlers either instigated or aided the planned demonstration.”
Florio, who is this we you speak of???
I had a convo w/ someone who said race had nothing to do w/ the reaction to Vick. I disagreed. Clearly, I win that argument. And that’s unfortunate. Folks need to get over the bs and see issues for what they are. Sadly, at the end of the day, folks use race as their rallying point.
“the Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP, the Black Clergy of Philadelphia, and other local civil rights groups plan “a massive demonstration” for Thursday night’s game between the Eagles and the Jaguars”
What’s the over/under line on it being less than 100 people?
REALLY?! NO WAY! I wonder….if Peyton Manning had done what Vick did, would they be out protesting in support of him paying his debt to society? Hmmm…I wonder?
“We believe Michael Vick has served his time, paid his debt to society and deserves a second chance and the animal rights groups want to hold him hostage for the rest of his life,”
——————————————-
Meanwhile in the badlands of North and West Philly, everyone is held hostage.But, those aren’t issues you can get some publicity off of….. I’m so glad J.Whyatt can attach his publicity stunt to a professional athlete. Don’t forget to wear your “Snitches get Stitches” T-Shirts.
NAACP? Civil rights? How has Michael Vick’s animal-abuse past suddenly become a race issue?
Let me preface my comment by stating that in general I think that the NAACP is an honorable, needed and usually well run organization. This however is a crock of shit.
No, animal rights activists or whatever they’re calling them are not trying to prevent Vick from making a living, they’re trying to prevent him making a living as a celebrity.
Is this an issue of race? Because I SURE AS HELL DON”T SEE IT THAT WAY. Denying a felonious convict re-entry into a RIDICULOUSLY lucrative career is not holding him hostage, it’s fair. You know what’s not fair? (although it’s partly speculation) That there are a TON of convicts more deserving of a second chance than this guy who has scarcely even admitted to any wrong doing or culpability. This is so upsetting, it’s not enough that the f–king guy got his career back and all the money that will come with it, NAACP is attempting to force fans to like him. What a joke, sadly, it changes my view about the mission and motivation of the organization. Did Dungy put you guys up to this?
I’ve attempted to dispute any Vick critic that attacks the fact that he is allowed to play again. But, I really doubt that any of this unnecessary attention is going to convert any haters. I’m sure Andy or Lurie won’t be thrilled with it either. This should prove to be nothing but a distraction that adds fuel to the controversy.
Mondesire once criticized Donovan McNabb, by calling him, “mediocre at best.” He also said, “and trying to disguise that fact behind some concocted reasoning that African American quarterbacks who can scramble and who can run the ball are somehow lesser field generals … is more insulting off the field than on.” Mondesire said this after he criticized McNabb for running with the football less. Mondesire also asserted that McNabb shares the blame for Terrell Owens’ departure from the team.
McNabb responded by saying, “If you talk about my play, that’s one thing. When you talk about my race, now we’ve got problems. If you’re trying to make a name off my name, again, I hope your closet is clean because something is going to come out about you … I always thought the NAACP supported African Americans and didn’t talk bad about them. Now you learn a little bit more.”
NAACP, told Paolantonio. “We think that’s patently unfair. It denies Michael Vick’s basic civil rights, denies him his ability to make a living.”
Hmmm. I must have missed the part where the potential Vick protests were about him being black.
How are animal rights groups denying his ability to make a living if he’s already signed with another team? News flash to the NAACP, I know its hard for them to understand. But just because someone does not belong to the group does not mean that they also do not have the right to free speech. If people want to protest him they are more then welcomed to.
Funny thing is that if you translate Vicks behavior to people, it would be slavery. How did the NAACP feel about that again?
I am SO glad I gave my preseason tickets away.
“As a lot of people have pointed out, [Vick's] animals never got a second chance,” Pennsylvania SPCA chief executive Sue Cosby told Paolantonio. “We need to speak for them.”
“They said, ‘woof!’”
@ Kevin from Philly
I’ll be waiting for my apology from you were you made a call out of left field that I made a”right wing/racist” comment now. Since I didn’t and clearly the NAACP is. Moron.
“Funny thing is that if you translate Vicks behavior to people, it would be slavery.”
That’s the point though, you can’t liken slavery of humans to cruelty to animals. Their is no way you can attempt to make that argument. Human’s are rational creatures, dogs bark at squirrels and will S**t on the carpet and think nothing of it…
what are all these people up in arms about? Vick GOT his second (scratch that, eigth) chance by signing that contract with the Eagles.
what’s more, he’s starting that night.
If they’re campaiging for depth chart moves, then they’re just stupid and don’t understand how football works. Vick would have to out-play McNabb for that to happen – no amount of public protest will affect that.
i’m tired of these Vick sympathizers acting like he still hasn’t gotten his second chance. he’s back in the NFL for crying out loud.
youre all retarded. vick didnt plan this. if anything, he doesnt want to be in the spotlight for any of these rallys, demostrations or be the topic of a talk radio. im sure all he wants is to be able to live his life quietly while money in the nfl. more publicity like this rally will bring will bring more trouble for him (getting caught drinking alcohol in a restaurant) which BTW is idiotic considering alcohol is legal to consume. if you dont want people drinking alcohol because it impairs judgment, just ban it altogether. dont say certain people are allowed to drink and others arent because they just got out of prison.
Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends, we’re so glad you could atend, come inside come inside!
After the Vick demonstration, Jerry is organizing a massive demonstration for O.J. Simpson at the address where his ex-wife and Ron Goldman was murdered.
The NAACP is free to hold a rally to support Vick just as any animal rights groups are free to hold a rally protesting his presence on the Eagles. Apparently people are upset that the NAACP have chosen to also exercise their right to do so. They never said anything about “race” being the factor, they clearly said it was about civil rights and these groups insisting that the justice system is not enough punishment for Michael Vick. Well, that’s how the games played. If people want to protest Vick’s right to work, there are people who will be there to rally in support of his working. If the animal rights folks dont like it, they can kick rocks.
Instead, animal advocates plan to host a tailgate party at a different location.
————————-
What are they going to barbecue? Tofu?
EXACTLY, EskinSux.
Why try and change the urban culture in Philly away from the glorification of thugs and cop killers, when you can go out and support one of those glorified thugs?
And the NAACP needs to realize just like PFT posters, there’s no “right” or “privledge” to playing in the NFL. If you are a good enough athlete, you’re in. If you have the skills, doesn’t matter who you are, you get to play the game. That’s business. There’s no “right” to it, nor is it something bestowed upon you. It’s just business.
“dogs bark at squirrels and will S**t on the carpet and think nothing of it…”
Not unlike some humans.
Will they have Black Panthers with billy clubs stationed outside the stadium?
myawornicky says:
August 26, 2009 4:24 PM
Maybe the SPCA should worry about there own.
“Dog Belonging to CEO of Richmond SPCA Dies After Being Left in Hot Car.”
That statement is bold enough.
Vick-Haters
—————————
Was it intentional? Was the Richmond SPCA CEO taking bets on how long the dog would last? Did she pit her dog against others in a suffocation match?
If not, save your stupid argument. This is an accident. Ironic, yes. Comparable to deliberately killing dogs and training them to kill each other? Hardly.
The NAACP considers this one of their top issues? This helps out black folks in America? The NFL doesn’t see color. They see guys that have talent that can make the league money. NAACP must be bored. Say what you want about other NFL headlines this off season….this one is truly a circus!
HAHAHAHAHA! NO COMMENT!
@ longrodvanhungendong:
You have made an excellent point without trying. The NAACP doesn’t care about helping the black community or else they would be in the ghettos fighting gangs, telling rappers to stop degrading their women and step up and be fathers. The NAACP is in the business of race, kind of like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. If it’s an issue where they can claim the race card to try to make white people look evil then they do it. As soon as groups like this dissapear so will a lot of problems.
All this says is what a joke the NAACP is. The Black community lacks leadership.
Well, this should be good exposure for the ugly, thuggish underbelly of the community there. It’s rising up to defend its own thugs, and in the process showing how backwards it is to the rest of the world. Judging by this and the reactions of many Philly fans and locals, the NFL picked the right place for Vick. It’s never been about “redemption”–it’s all about money. This protest is about as intellectually honest as all the “grass roots” shouting that’s been going on at Congressional town halls. In other words, not at all.
Simply stunning.. now a whole bunch of morons are going to line up in support of the biggest moron for no apparent reason. I hope the Eagles are happy with the decision they’ve made to bring the ring leader of this circus to town, if it doesnt get them to the superbowl, I dont see how its worth the headache.
Sombody needs to toss a grenade in the middle of this rally.
famucancer says:
August 26, 2009 5:10 PM
The NAACP is free to hold a rally to support Vick just as any animal rights groups are free to hold a rally protesting his presence on the Eagles. Apparently people are upset that the NAACP have chosen to also exercise their right to do so. They never said anything about “race” being the factor, they clearly said it was about civil rights and these groups insisting that the justice system is not enough punishment for Michael Vick. Well, that’s how the games played. If people want to protest Vick’s right to work, there are people who will be there to rally in support of his working. If the animal rights folks dont like it, they can kick rocks.
————————-
When has the NAACP supported any issue that didn’t relate to race? Of course it’s about race.
All the more reason to hate the Eagles.
@ redsquare
I was at a town hall last night shouting, and I meant it.
Vox……..Carl Palmer was is and will always be the greatest drummer of all time………
VoxVeritas says:
August 26, 2009 5:14 PM
“Will they have Black Panthers with billy clubs stationed outside the stadium?”
———————————————-
No, but the animal rights protesters might be out there burning crosses, with hoods over their heads..
Don’t make excuses people!!!!! We all know that this is a race issue. Would people be so outraged if Vick was a construction worker???? I love dogs, but Vick didn’t harm any of our dogs.. Last time I checked, he owned those dogs, which made them his property..
——————————————–
Animal lovers worldwide now have access to more than a decade’s worth of proof that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) kills thousands of defenseless pets at its Norfolk, Virginia headquarters. Since 1998, PETA has opted to “put down” 21,339 adoptable dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens instead of finding homes for them.
PETA’s “Animal Record” report for 2008, filed with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, shows that the animal rights group killed 95 percent of the dogs and cats in its care last year. During all of 2008, PETA found adoptive homes for just seven pets.
Just seven animals — out of the 2,216 it took in. PETA just broke its own record.
————————————————
Is everyone outraged about PETA???? Are they going to be protesting PETA????? Vick needs some support, if the NAACP want to support him, then fine.. I’m from Baltimore and I’m thinking about taking a trip to Philly to support Vick myself… The man has a family to provide for so leave him alone..
The man has a family to provide for so leave him alone..
———————————————-
Oh, you mean the same family he basically left behind when he was stupid enough to piss away a 135 million dollar contract…….The same family he ignored when running an interstate gambling ring? The same family that didn’t mean a rats ass to him when he was knowingly breaking the law?……Dude, cry your race card river elsewhere…This is no family man…..He’s an insult to family men everywhere
@ MrJumpman
If people like Michael Vick didn’t beat the hell out of their dogs and cause them to be un-adoptable, they’d have homes. And we all have families to support and none of us have to play in the NFL. However if I did, I would give back to my community, unlike Michael Vick who hasn’t done a damn thing to help black youth.
# VoxVeritas says: August 26, 2009 5:14 PM
Will they have Black Panthers with billy clubs stationed outside the stadium?
————–
We get it, Vox, you watch FOX news and eat whatever turd-disguised-as-news Rush Limbaugh wants to shove down your throat.
Your first post in this thread was actually kinda funny. You gotta learn to leave on a high note.