Michigan is ready for a ban on ivory sales!
- by: Larissa Flora
- recipient: Michigan State Representative
The ivory trade is the fourth most lucrative illegal trade in the world. Iconic species are being driven to extinction at the hands of violent terrorist organizations who reap the profits from this bloody and lucrative trade. Though there is an international ban on the sale of new ivory, 96 elephants are killed every day for ivory that gets smuggled into countries around the world as old, pre-ban ivory. America is the second largest market for this ivory in the entire world.
As we continue to see increasing violence around the world, we know we cannot afford to keep a trade legal which funds the slaughter of innocent life, both human and animal. We cannot in good conscience fund through our purchases and laws organizations that we fight with our military. As the situation for elephants, rhinos, and many other African species grows more dire, many countries and states, such as New York, New Jersey, California, and Washington, have already passed legislation to restrict wildlife sales, and Michigan is ready to be next.
Speak up against this horrific trade and ask your representative to support HB 4509, which would prohibit the sale of ivory in the state of Michigan and help save the lives of many.
want more info? email JustusforJusticeMI@gmail.com
To the Michigan State Legislature:
I am a Michigan resident, and I would like our state to take responsibility for its part in the growing illegal elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn trade. Currently, 96 elephants are killed every single day in Africa for their ivory, which is turned into jewelry, carvings, and trinkets and sold to Americans, who make up the second largest market for ivory in the world. At these rates, elephants and rhinos will be extinct within ten years.
This alone provides enough reason for me to fight for an end to this trade in my home state, but in addition to the crimes against animals, the ivory trade is controlled by some of the most violent terrorist organizations in Africa, such as the Lord’s Resistance Army lead by Joseph Kony. The money that Americans spend on carvings and jewelry is supporting groups that we fight against with our military. This is out of line with who we are as Michigan and American citizens, and we demand a change to our laws to reflect our beliefs and values.
I am asking you to take a stand for what is right for Michigan and the world by supporting House Bill 4509 and Senate Bill 371. These bills are currently in the Natural Resources Committees and would prohibit the sale of illegally poached ivory in our state. Please contact your Natural Resources Committee to ask that this bill be brought to a hearing as soon as possible.
Your support of this bill would show myself, your constituent and the world that you are ready to join the fight against these violent, terrorist organizations, and that we are willing to do our part in saving these iconic, endangered animals. This bill would stand along side such state bills in New Jersey, New York, California, and Washington, who have all recently passed similar bills. Please help add Michigan to the list.
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