Is Our Mercy Just?

This petition has received 4,961 signatures, 45,036 views, and 756 shares. It was last signed 18 hours ago.  While I have yet to print and mail it in, I consider “Stage One” of gathering signatures a victory.

Excerpt below from the Netflix movie “Just Mercy” spoken by defense attorney Bryan Stevenson, on April 1, 1993, at a U.S. Senate Hearing on the Death Penalty.

“We can’t change the world with only ideas in our minds.  We need conviction in our hearts.  We need to stay hopeful because hopelessness is the enemy of justice.  Hope allows us to push forward even when the truth is distorted by the people in power.  It allows us to stand up when they tell us to sit down.  And to speak when they say, “Be quiet.”

The opposite of poverty isn’t wealth.  The opposite of poverty is justice.

The character of our city, province, and nation, isn’t reflected in how we treat the rich and the privileged, but in how we treat the poor, the disfavoured and condemned.

If we look at ourselves closely, we will see that we all need justice.  We all need mercy, and perhaps we all need some measure of unmerited grace.”

Taken in context, those words refer to human beings.  By shifting their context and applying them to the lives of feral domestic rabbits wherever they are found, I see a powerful parallel. 

We can’t change the reality of feral domestic rabbits with only ideas in our minds.  We need conviction in our hearts.  We need to stay hopeful because hopelessness is the enemy of justice.  We want justice for these feral domestic rabbits.  It is unjust that they have no recognition, respect, or protection by Alberta law.  Hope allows us to push forward even when the truth is distorted by the people in power.  It allows us to stand up when they tell us to sit down.  And to speak when they say, “Be quiet.”  The opposite of poverty isn’t wealth.  The opposite of poverty is justice.  It does take money to provide vaccinations, sterilization, medical care, food, water, and shelter.  With exotic veterinary care being donated, as well as other gifts and donations – the bleakness is transformed, and we move closer to achieving justice for dumped domestic rabbits.  Our character is reflected in how we treat these poor creatures who are disfavoured and condemned.  If we look at ourselves closely, we will see that all sentient beings, including feral domestic rabbits, need justice.  We all need mercy, and perhaps we all need some measure of unmerited grace.

With deepest gratitude,

Lynda Wise, Ph 587-353-3862

PS:  Below, fyi, is a draft cover letter that will accompany the petition & signatures:

December 29, 2021

Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General
The Right Honourable Kaycee Madu
132 Legislature Building
10800 – 97 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB
T5K 2B6

Dear Right Honourable Kaycee Madu,

Subject:          Alberta’s feral Domestic Rabbits deserve Legal Protection

Please find attached the subject petition created July 1, 2020.  We have gathered nearly 5,000 online signatures to protest what we see as a grave injustice being carried out in Alberta against domestic rabbits, because there is literally no legislation in existence that respects and protects them.

I have included councillors at the municipal level in the City of Calgary, as well as the Calgary Mayor on this letter.  However, I genuinely believe we need to act legislatively at the provincial level, to create permanent changes for the better.  Due to a few irresponsible actions by humans, we are dealing with a crisis of feral domestic rabbit populations throughout the city and province, and indeed, the globe.

Our communities and parks and the general environment are being impacted by this problem of feral domestic rabbit herds.  Our mental health is negatively affected when we see these animals being victims of rampant abuse. Rabbit Viral Hemorrhagic Disease brings risk with it to our agricultural development. For all these reasons and the most important ethical reason, please create legislation that benefits dumped domestic rabbit pets, holds Albertans accountable for responsible rabbit pet-ownership and, above all else, provides sanctuary for these innocent, loving creatures. The domestic rabbit, as a pet, helps many highly sensitive individuals cope with their lives. An education campaign needs governmental leadership from you (see the attached example from Educational Series: Pet Rabbits Need Space and Compassion, Not Cages - ForceChange ).

I look forward to your positive and responsible ongoing engagement in this matter.

Yours very truly,

Lynda Wise

Copies to:       

Honourable Jason Luan, Minister of Community and Social Services
Honourable Jason Nixon, Minister of Environment & Parks, House Leader
Honourable Mike Ellis, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
Honourable Nate Horner, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development
Honourable Jason Kenney, Premier, President of the Executive Council, Minister of Intergovernmental Relations
City of Calgary Councillors
City of Calgary Mayor