Lawrence Nabs PETA Award for Canceling Fourth of July Fireworks
For Immediate Release:
June 20, 2024
Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382
A Compassionate City Award is on its way from PETA to the City of Lawrence for canceling fireworks at this year’s Summerfest celebration due to community members’ concerns about the noise impact on animals at the nearby Lawrence Humane Society. In a letter sent today to Mayor Bart Littlejohn, the group thanked the city for sparing animals the booms and blasts that often cause them to tremble in terror or run away and become lost.
“Fireworks sound exactly like ‘bombs bursting in air’ to animals, many of whom are injured and even killed each year as they try to escape the thunderous noises and the rancid smell of toxic smoke,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA urges other cities to follow Lawrence’s lead by letting fireworks fizzle and promoting fun, cruelty-free festivities that leave animals in peace.”
PETA points out that fireworks displays frequently result in intake spikes at animal shelters, which exceed their capacity and further strain community resources. Dogs and cats have been known to jump fences or break through windows and screen doors to try to escape the noises and might never be reunited with their families. Other animals, including wildlife, are hit by cars when they run onto roads. Pyrotechnics also release toxins—including mercury, carbon monoxide, aluminum, and sulfur—which can increase the amount of pollutants in the air by up to 42%.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—is also sending delicious vegan chocolates to Littlejohn and other city leaders. The group points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
