Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has declared war on the majestic mute swan. Calling these beautiful, free-ranging and naturalized birds invasive and alien, Michigan plans to kill as many as 1500 a year for the next five years with the goal of slaughtering tens of thousands over the next 18 years.

With virtually no scientific data or support, the  DNR claims the mute swan population is out of  control and estimates there are approximately  15,500 in Michigan – a number that is highly  disputed by experts. Considering there are  35,000 inland lakes and ponds in Michigan,  even if their estimates are correct, that’s a lot less  than even a single pair of Mute swans per lake.

Since most people cringe at the idea of killing  such a beautiful animal, the DNR has waged a relentless dirty campaign to convince us that mute swans are nasty creatures that must be destroyed. Using words like “non-native,” “feral,” “invasive,” and “aggressive,” the DNR hopes to diminish our love and respect for the mute swan all the while claiming they are only protecting “native” waterfowl.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)  recently presented a management proposal  calling for a voluntary moratorium on the killing  of mute swans so that mute swan  committees  could be established to examine any potential  problems. This would allow for a  proper assessment of the impact, if any, that mute swans  are having, while encouraging  local citizens to be involved in finding compassionate and  humane solutions to any  perceived conflicts. (www.savemuteswans.org)

The DNR completely dismisses this idea for humane and compassionate solutions and  instead is suggesting the outlandish idea that local community committees should vote to just shoot or otherwise kill mute swans. Incredibly, DNR is even offering permits for individuals to kill mute swans at their own discretion, rather than working with the affected community to mitigate problems and implement humane solutions.

It is up to us to speak out for Michigan’s mute swans and demand humane enlightened treatment for these magnificent birds.

How you can help:

Ask Governor Rick Snyder to intervene immediately to stop this senseless killing: governorsoffice@michigan.gov; or 517-373-3400

Sign the Michigan Mute Swan Petition at http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-the-killing-of-mute-swans-in-michigan

PROJECT GIRL PERFORMANCE COLLECTIVE: SPONSOR A GIRL TODAY!

Project Girl Performance Collective creates a safe space for girls to write and perform their own work.  Theater is our vehicle to empower young women to become brave, confident, socially conscious leaders and explore their own challenging circumstances.

Many of our girls cannot afford a MetroCard for travel to and from rehearsal, lunch during rehearsal, a Project Girl T-shirt (required for performances) and program costs.  Below is a breakdown of the various levels of sponsorship.

THANK YOU NIGEL

The girls were so excited to have you in their audience, and then were impressed and inspired by you during the talk back. We look forward to working with you in other ways in the future to further raise awareness of the atrocities of sex slavery and child exploitation.

To those reading this now, our LAST PERFORMANCE is THIS SATURDAY, June 23rd at 1:00 PM. See below for details.

WHEN: THIS Saturday June 23rd, 1:00pm

WHY: The cast puts a name and face to the thousands of girls and boys who are trafficked into the billion dollar sex industry each year.

Learn their names. Hear their stories. Take them from backpage to the front page.

Our special guest WINTER MILLER will speak in a talk back after the show.

WHERE: The Planet Connections Theatre Festivity at Bleecker Street Theatre

45 Bleecker Street New York, NY 10012

TICKETS: $18 General Admission

Purchase Online Tickets Here: https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/27385

Visit our website for more info: http://www.projectgirlperformancecollective.org/

Or check us out on facebook and twitter:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-Girl-Performance-Collective-aka-GirlPower/278793379834

https://twitter.com/#!/projgirltheatre