Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
12-Year-Old Activist Speaks Out About Her Arrest At Rose Parade
PETA protesters were arrested at the Rose Parade (Photo courtesy of PETA)
()
A 12-year-old girl spoke about her experience in getting arrested on Wednesday after protesting against the SeaWorld float at the Rose Parade.
"We went in front of this SeaWorld float and we sat down," Rose McCoy tells LAist. "Then a bunch of cops grabbed us and kind of threw us off to the side. It was slightly rough."
McCoy, her mother, and 17 other PETA protesters were quickly taken into custody after they stood in front of the parade float in protest of SeaWorld's treatment of its whales, according to a statement from PETA. The nearly 100 protesters held signs reading "Boycott SeaWorld." A spokesperson for the police department told the Los Angeles Times that they were arrested on suspicion of "interfering with a special event." She also said that 15 adults and one juvenile were arrested instead of the 19 total PETA announced were taken into custody.
McCoy talked about her first arrest experience. "I actually thought it was pretty interesting," she says. "It was a new experience. It was extremely boring because it a lot of waiting [at the station] and looking at a wall."
Support for LAist comes from
She wasn't handcuffed like the rest of the adults until she got to the police station, where they handcuffed her there to make sure she didn't leave the station. She was separated from the adult activists during their questioning. They all have a court date on Feb. 3.
Her mother, Emily McCoy was also arrested, in part for aiding in the delinquency of a minor, according to CBS Los Angeles.
In response to criticism that PETA is using McCoy to push forward their agenda, her mother told CBS Los Angeles, “It really belittles how passionate my daughter is."
McCoy has been making headlines since she jumped the barricade at the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade boycotting the SeaWorld float there, and has been inspired by Blackfish, a documentary critical about whales being held in captivity.
This arrest hasn't deterred McCoy from her protests. "I'm definitely going to keep on doing this," she says." I'm going to fight SeaWorld as long as they keep orcas in what's equivalent as a prison."
"I want every family to boycott SeaWorld and never give a dime of their money to an industry that would make a profit off of the suffering of other living beings."
Here is a video of the protesters getting arrested:
Support for LAist comes from
Related stories:
12-Year-Old Activist Who 'Ruined' Macy's Parade Plans To Protest SeaWorld Float At Rose Parade
Video: 12-Year-Old Jumps Barricade To Protest SeaWorld Float
'Blackfish' Explores What Makes SeaWorld's Shamu Murderous
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist