Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Woodside Town Hall is working with the Sheriff’s Office to arrange a public-space gathering spot near the Mounted Patrol of San Mateo County grounds to allow protestors of the July Fourth Junior Rodeo’s pig scramble to demonstrate after they were warned they could be charged with trespassing if they do so on the private Mounted Patrol grounds.

In a June 6 letter from the San Francisco law firm of Kerr & Wagstaffe that was forwarded to the Almanac by Oakland resident Eric Mills of Action for Animals, attorney James M. Wagstaffe issued a warning to would-be protesters: They could be subject to criminal trespass charges for protesting while standing on Patrol grounds at 521 Kings Mountain Road.

Local residents who are members of Committee for a Humane Woodside have been looking for a way to end the pig scramble, in which between 50 and 75 children chase and capture a dozen or so small pigs in an enclosed arena — an activity that is not illegal, but that committee members challenge as cruel.

The attorney’s letter represents a turnabout for the Mounted Patrol, which sponsors the annual rodeo and pig scramble. During the protest of the 2016 pig scramble, which may have encroached on the Patrol grounds, the arena manager brought bottled water out to the protesters and stayed to talk, Menlo Park resident Susan Wyle told the Almanac last year. “He was open to discussing alternatives to the pig scramble,” she said.

The Committee has asked Town Manager Kevin Bryant for clarification as to the boundaries of the public right of way.

In his letter, Mr. Wagstaffe says that the Mounted Patrol does not seek to limit protected free speech, but is asserting that a protest on Patrol grounds is not protected speech under either the California or federal constitutions.

“Should the protestors wish to find a permissible location for protestors to gather, the Mounted Patrol is more than willing to cooperate in discussions to determine a suitable location and time for the protest,” Mr. Wagstaffe says.

Discussions are set for Monday, June 19, when Mr. Bryant is planning to meet with committee members and the Sheriff’s Office, according to an email exchange between Mr. Bryant and the committee and forwarded to the Almanac.

“This is in everyone’s best interest and will ensure a safe and happy Fourth of July for all,” the committee says in the email.

—

Join the Conversation

17 Comments

  1. This is a tragic situation. I wish there might be a way for
    these two warring groups to meet to find the representation of THE OTHER within whom they want to shut out. When a knowledge base exists to do just that–we could act from a higher level rather than be a microcosm of a violent world.

    Inconprehensible that in 2017 there is an ongoing power struggle over whether or not baby animals should be continued to be abused or not.

  2. It’s hardly abuse for a bunch of kids to chase pigs.

    Had bacon lately?

    Surely there are more important issues to fight for.

  3. It seems to me that it’s not just the four legged pigs that we need to worry about, but the two legged ones and the harm they are doing to children and piglets alike.

  4. The FBI now investigates animal cruelty cases. Notify the FBI at
    https://tips.fbi.gov/, where you can fill out their online TIPS Form. You can remain anonymous. It is not necessary to fill in any other information except the “Information” box providing them the necessary details. I just copy and paste the information link into the “Information” box. In the case of cruelty to the baby pigs, you can provide them this information link and any others you may have regarding this topic:

    https://www.almanacnews.com/news/2017/06/16/woodside-a-new-site-for-pig-scramble-protest

  7. So, abusing baby animals: ok
    Protesting that abuse: criminal.

    Got it.

    P.S. Vegetarian, never tasted pork or played football.

  8. It’s hardly abuse — “It’s hardly abuse for a bunch of kids to chase pigs.”

    Quoting Mounted Patrol propaganda there, sport?

    “Surely there are more important issues to fight for.”

    It’s not a zero-sum game, sport. You can be involved in a whole number of issues AND protest the Pig Scramble.

    Unless, of course, you’re affiliated with the Mounted Patrol…

  9. The zoning of the Mounted Patrol Property at 521 Kings Mountain Road requires a 50′ front area setback or “right of way” unless Kings Mountain Road is a private road which it is probably not. A survey of the parcel would be necessary for absolute accuracy but it’s safe to say that there is a pretty wide space between the Patrol’s fenced off property and the road. Are they going to arrrest people for peaceful protests in this area? Hmm. Let’s see what the Town Manager says on Monday.

  11. Last year’s protest was 100 percent peaceful and respectful. There is ample evidence of this as several Mounted Patrol members were there mingling with the protesters politely exchanging views and offering them water. No one threatened anyone and the values of democracy and civil engagement were strong in Woodside that day. Woodside is a place where many residents care about and respect their neighbors. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case on a national level right now but everyone of us has the power to choose how we interact with others on a daily basis.

  12. Let’s see: protest this rodeo, but let the senate pass TrumpCare that takes healthcare away from 23 million Americans, while raising premiums on countless others.

    Sure – save the piggies. *AFTER* you make some phone calls to our senators to try and save American lives.

    So after your morning egg/bacon scramble, get on the phone…

    Indivisible’s guide for Dem senators to kill Trumpcare by ‘vote-a-rama’:
    https://www.indivisibleguide.com/resource/stop-trumpcare-june-action-plan/

    FOR DEMOCRATIC SENATORS

    Does your Democratic Senator already oppose TrumpCare? Great. Now, what else are they doing to stop the bill from passing?

    Call:

    1. Ask them to resist through procedure.
    Your Democratic Senator can draw attention to the secret process and slow down Senate business, through a combination of filibustering and “withholding consent.” The rules of the Senate are so complicated that Senators have to regularly consent to waiving some of them so that they can actually get work done. That includes shortening time for debates, expediting consideration of amendments, and scheduling committees. Your Senator can slow the Senate down to a crawl and focus attention to TrumpCare by withholding his or her consent on legislative business.

    2. Ask them to filibuster by amendment.
    Republicans are using a special process called “reconciliation” to jam through TrumpCare. This means they only need 51 votes, instead of the usual 60, to pass it. But the trade-off is that they have to allow an unlimited number of amendments. Any Senator can file as many amendments as they want and then call them up for a vote on the Senate floor during a period called “vote-a-rama.” Democratic Senators can and should plan thousands of amendments and keep them going until Republicans agree to have public hearings on the bill.

    Then go save the piggies.

  13. FBI investigates animal abuse cases. I will call the FBI, others should call too. Whatever name it is called ‘scramble’, ‘chase’ ‘wrestling’, a bunch of spoiled mostly obese and large ‘children’ chasing and tackling baby animals is animal abuse.

  16. The Northern California Junior Rodeo Association comes into town one day a year. They monitor their rodeo events. One of the rules in their Association Rules Book is that no animal will be intentionally mistreated.
    The Mounted Patrol have brought in the pig scramble where hundreds of children chase, jump on, do whatever they need to in order to catch a piglet. These children are not animal handlers, this is a free for all for the enjoyment of those who endorse animal abuse.
    The Mounted Oatrol needs to hear from the ticket buying audience. Attend the rodeo. Boycott the pig scramble. Teach your children to respect animals. Teach the Mounted Patrol that it is time to remove the pig scramble from their rodeo.

Leave a comment