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Community festivals should embrace diversity of opinion, not silence it. Yet the WestAsheville Business Association has again refused to allow Carolina Animal Action to have a booth at WestFest. Last year they told us there wasn’t enough room for us. We didn’t question their decision, but then attended the festival and found there to be an abundance of space available. This year we sent in our check and application early, but were again rejected When we asked why, we were given a myriad of excuses that just didn’t add up. We asked which non-profit groups were admitted and which were excluded, and were told we’d be provided this information. But it was never forthcoming. Why can’t the West Asheville Business Association find 10 feet of street space for a non-profit group that advocates for animals?

Non-profit groups rely on community festivals for outreach and support. Carolina Animal Action has had booths at Fiesta Latina, Bele Chere, Organicfest, Earth Day, the Lexington Street Arts and Fun Festival, and many other street festivals. Only WestFest has refused our admittance, and for both years they have held the festival. Shame on them! Are they afraid someone might choose a veggie burger over a hot dog after reading one of our flyers? Whatever happened to free speech?

Here are some things we wanted to bring to the community’s attention at WestFest:

1) Support the NC Animal Protection Act of 2004! This important legislation will reduce dog and cat euthanasia, provide better conditions in shelters, and more. Contact your state representative ASAP. For more info, go to www.ncvaw.org.

2) Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus is coming to Asheville. Encourage your friends and families NOT to support the “Cruelest Show On Earth.” Join us to protest and distribute leaflets, see “events” on the back page. To learn more about Ringling’s abysmal treatment of animals, go to www.circuses.com.

3) For your health, for the environment, and for the animals, choose vegetarianism! To learn more, watch a video about how animals are treated on factory farms, and to order a Vegetarian Starter Kit, go to www.GoVeg.com.

Stewart David, President -- Carolina Animal Action

Asheville, NC