CONTACT
Allison Geiger
allison@peaceadvocacynetwork.org
WRONGFULLY-ARRESTED ACTIVIST TAKES TO THE STREETS
PHILADELPHIA, PA, FEBRUARY 6, 2012 - Ed Coffin, wrongfully arrested for passing out humane myth information in front of the Whole Foods Market on South Street, announced he will head up a protest against the horse-drawn carriage industry in Philadelphia on Sunday, February 12 at 12 PM. Mr. Coffin was recently awarded $15,000 by the City of Philadelphia for the November 2009 arrest.
A strong proponent of free speech protection, Mr. Coffin has been working to protect free speech rights in the area of Independence Park where rangers have harassed activists exercising their First Amendment rights. Over the past two years, Mr. Coffin, Outreach Coordinator for Peace Advocacy Network, along with fellow board members and activists, has been protesting the horse-drawn carriage industry in Philadelphia on the public sidewalks surrounding the park. The American Civil Liberties Union has intervened to protect citizens' rights in this situation and continues to provide support for Peace Advocacy Network's Constitutionally-protected activities.
Peace Advocacy Network's protest will educate the public about the plight of the horses while pushing for a city-wide ban. The horse-drawn carriage industry forces easily-frightened, social herd animals, who belong in pastures, to spend endless days isolated at the end of a harness on noisy city streets. This industry poses a threat to citizens, as well, with traffic accidents and nuisance issues. A fact sheet about Philadelphia's horse-drawn carriage situation, as well as details about the upcoming protest, are available at www.peaceadvocacynetwork.org.
ABOUT PEACE ADVOCACY NETWORK
Peace Advocacy Network (PAN) is a grassroots group completely run by volunteers. PAN strives for the absence of violence in the lives of animals - human and non-human alike. Campaigns include vegan advocacy, humane facts education, horse-drawn carriage ban, as well as equality and human rights issues.
Pictured: Ed Coffin, left, and other activists speak up for the horses.
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