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Crowded scene outside courthouse
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Richmond, Va. — At 7:32 a.m. Thursday, protesters from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals were already lined up in front of the federal courthouse with their Michael Vick protest signs and solemn faces.
One sign, bearing a picture of a scarred pit bull, read, “Prosecute all Dog Fighters. Justice for all victims.”
The media line was starting to form for the 100 spots in Judge Henry E. Hudson’s courtroom for the Falcons quarterback’s hearing, which is expected to begin at 3:30 p.m. There will be an overflow room for 200 other media members.
Behind the courthouse, 27 media vehicles — including WSB, CNN, Fox News, WJLA (Washington, D.C.), ESPN and WDBJ (Roanoke, Va.) — lined the streets.
One local radio show, The Morning Sludge on Y101, had three cast members broadcasting live while dressed in dog suits.
“We are just going to be peaceably demonstrating about this issue sending a message to the federal government that people want to see this case prosecuted vigorously,” said Dan Shannon, PETA’s assistant director. “We don’t want to lose sight that Michael Vick is not the end of the problem.
“There are a lot of people who aren’t as famous that are involved in this sort of thing and they also need to see their day in court eventually.”
Also on hand here Thursday morning: John P. Goodwin, the deputy manager of animal fighting issues for the Humane Society of the United States.
Three loud Falcons fans, who drove down from Boston, arrived in front of the courts to counter the PETA protesters. One held a sign that read “PETA = Hypocrites.” Another held one that said, “Let Vick Play.”
“There are a lot of serious allegations, but he hasn’t been proven guilty yet,” said Michael Geary, 21. “He’s innocent until proven guilty, so why are they not letting him play? Let him play. Let him ride this out himself.
“He’s not a Pacman Jones. He’s not out shooting people.”
Geary said he’s been a Falcons fan “since they got Michael Vick.”
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