Boycott rodeos

Rae Sikora is right (“Golden Rule should apply to animals, too,” My View, June 9). Even César Chávez was an outspoken critic of rodeo, as is Pope Francis. Where’s the local religious community on this ethical and moral issue, pray?

Every major animal welfare organization in the U.S. condemns rodeos due to their inherent cruelty. I was present at the 1995 California Rodeo Salinas when five animals suffered and died. For most of the animals involved, rodeo is merely a detour en route to the slaughterhouse. Rodeo is not a sport — it’s a macho exercise in domination. True sport denotes a competition with willing, evenlymatched contestants. Rodeo does not qualify. Legislation is in order every year in every state to rid the world of this cruelty. In the interim, boycott all rodeos.

Eric Mills

coordinator Action for Animals Oakland, Calif.