While we regret both the death of the gorilla Harambe and the accident whereby a four-year-old human child entered his enclosure, we think the social media-fed outrage over this incident and the petition to further endanger the child by separating him from his mother is absolutely bonkers. We don't think this attitude of intolerance for human error represents the ordinary people of the United States and the world. We would like to see social media mobs stop targeting the child's mother and threatening her guardianship of her son. And we confidently hope and expect that the authorities will realize that this mother has suffered more than enough as she watched her child be dragged around an inaccessible enclosure for ten minutes by a wild animal, regardless of whether the animal's intent was to harm the child or not.
We recognize that we were not present; that the decision on how to protect the child and administrate the responsibility of the gorilla was not ours to make; that the world will never be perfect and so accidents happen; that even those who protect animals must sometimes accept their death in preference for human safety, and most of all that this isn't really any of our business. Nor is it the business of the people who signed the petition to investigate Michelle Gregg, the child's mother, and Deonne Dickerson, his father.
Therefore we present this petition to the relevant authorities, including the Cincinnati police: please ignore that other petition. Also please note that people of common sense still largely populate this nation and the world.
Updates
May 31, 2016
The online vitriol directed at this family has spiraled out of control and it is time for us to push back against the mob mentality. Post this link on Facebook to remind people that human error is not a crime. Email your local representatives and tell them that harassment regarding this accident needs to stop immediately.
May 31, 2016
The tide is finally turning against these online harassment campaigns because so many of you refused to stay silent. Post the link to your Facebook feed right now to keep this pressure on the local authorities. Send an email to the Cincinnati police demanding they focus on real public safety instead of bowing to an internet mob.
29 Comments
So glad the boy is alright! I have a 4-year-old son who keeps me on edge with his daring, and this could have just as easily happened to me or any other parent.
The result of this horrific incident (I can't imagine how terrified the Gregg boy's family was and probably still is) cannot be to take a family apart. We cannot criminalize parents for trying to do the best job they can. Charging Gregg for losing sight of one child while tending to another is heinous. In addition, there is too much cruel and vicious undercurrent in the social media platforms aiming their rage at this family that our civil and criminal authorities should not allow and play into. Additionally, even if Gregg had any responsibility, there is as much or more responsibility with the zoo, who ought have better safeguards against children wondering into dangerous areas. Leave Michelle Gregg alone.
I am so sorry Michelle and family for the horrific treatment you have been subjected to this week by the wicked and evil humans of this earth. Truly wish you will read this. This could have happened anyone with a 3 year old child who doesn't understand danger. I know my son didn't at that age and would run into the road so fast. You are not a bad mother. You do not deserve this treatment. The Gorilla dragging your son was so scary and made me cry so hard for that child and your family. Prayers and live for you all. Especially for the heartless morons of the world who attack you with zero thought. They are not anywhere near perfect and it could have been any parent. Bless you.
The rush to judge is so easy, especially from people who were never there. Don't make a terrible situation even more traumatic, for parents and the children.
Leave the family alone ppl make mistakes it will be haunting her for years as it is
Like the rest of the world I was upset by the news as well but as a mother I quickly realized that accidents do happen. Having a young child is a full time job and as a parent I know that if a toddler wants to do something he will obsessively find a way to do it. These parents do not deserve the hate they are receiving. This could have happened to ANYBODY! It's truly appalling how hateful and disgustingly mean people are being towards this family. Rather than scrutinize them as parents take a look in the mirror and focus on yourselves! I'm sure you could use the energy you have exerted towards hate and use it to make yourself a better person and parent. The fact that no one is turning their attention towards the fact that the zoo did not have an adequate safety barrier is extremely disturbing as well. My thoughts and prayers are with you, family of the little boy who fell. I love you as fellow humans that I share this planet with and I pray for a new news story to come along quickly for the haters to fixate upon and if you ever read this I want you to know that from here on out and from this day forward everyday is a new day and I'm grateful your little boy is ok. Much love and healing to you and your family.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/woman-who-dropped-2-year-old-son-into-cheetah-pit-sentenced
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While we regret both the death of the gorilla Harambe and the accident whereby a four-year-old human child entered his enclosure, we think the social media-fed outrage over this incident and the petition to further endanger the child by separating him from his mother is absolutely bonkers. We don't think this attitude of intolerance for human error represents the ordinary people of the United States and the world. We would like to see social media mobs stop targeting the child's mother and threatening her guardianship of her son. And we confidently hope and expect that the authorities will realize that this mother has suffered more than enough as she watched her child be dragged around an inaccessible enclosure for ten minutes by a wild animal, regardless of whether the animal's intent was to harm the child or not.
We recognize that we were not present; that the decision on how to protect the child and administrate the responsibility of the gorilla was not ours to make; that the world will never be perfect and so accidents happen; that even those who protect animals must sometimes accept their death in preference for human safety, and most of all that this isn't really any of our business. Nor is it the business of the people who signed the petition to investigate Michelle Gregg, the child's mother, and Deonne Dickerson, his father.
Therefore we present this petition to the relevant authorities, including the Cincinnati police: please ignore that other petition. Also please note that people of common sense still largely populate this nation and the world.
Updates
May 31, 2016
The online vitriol directed at this family has spiraled out of control and it is time for us to push back against the mob mentality. Post this link on Facebook to remind people that human error is not a crime. Email your local representatives and tell them that harassment regarding this accident needs to stop immediately.
May 31, 2016
The tide is finally turning against these online harassment campaigns because so many of you refused to stay silent. Post the link to your Facebook feed right now to keep this pressure on the local authorities. Send an email to the Cincinnati police demanding they focus on real public safety instead of bowing to an internet mob.
29 Comments
I'm sorry the beautiful creature was killed but she doesn't deserve all of those horrible remarks! that horrifies me the most! MOST parents have lost sight of a child for a minute.. and a inute is all it takes!! this woman almost lost her child! and when I see the uncaring self-centered ..unforgiving remarks.. it makes me sick for the mind set of today's human race
So glad the boy is alright! I have a 4-year-old son who keeps me on edge with his daring, and this could have just as easily happened to me or any other parent.
The result of this horrific incident (I can't imagine how terrified the Gregg boy's family was and probably still is) cannot be to take a family apart. We cannot criminalize parents for trying to do the best job they can. Charging Gregg for losing sight of one child while tending to another is heinous. In addition, there is too much cruel and vicious undercurrent in the social media platforms aiming their rage at this family that our civil and criminal authorities should not allow and play into. Additionally, even if Gregg had any responsibility, there is as much or more responsibility with the zoo, who ought have better safeguards against children wondering into dangerous areas. Leave Michelle Gregg alone.
I am so sorry Michelle and family for the horrific treatment you have been subjected to this week by the wicked and evil humans of this earth. Truly wish you will read this. This could have happened anyone with a 3 year old child who doesn't understand danger. I know my son didn't at that age and would run into the road so fast. You are not a bad mother. You do not deserve this treatment. The Gorilla dragging your son was so scary and made me cry so hard for that child and your family. Prayers and live for you all. Especially for the heartless morons of the world who attack you with zero thought. They are not anywhere near perfect and it could have been any parent. Bless you.
The rush to judge is so easy, especially from people who were never there. Don't make a terrible situation even more traumatic, for parents and the children.
Leave the family alone ppl make mistakes it will be haunting her for years as it is
Like the rest of the world I was upset by the news as well but as a mother I quickly realized that accidents do happen. Having a young child is a full time job and as a parent I know that if a toddler wants to do something he will obsessively find a way to do it. These parents do not deserve the hate they are receiving. This could have happened to ANYBODY! It's truly appalling how hateful and disgustingly mean people are being towards this family. Rather than scrutinize them as parents take a look in the mirror and focus on yourselves! I'm sure you could use the energy you have exerted towards hate and use it to make yourself a better person and parent. The fact that no one is turning their attention towards the fact that the zoo did not have an adequate safety barrier is extremely disturbing as well. My thoughts and prayers are with you, family of the little boy who fell. I love you as fellow humans that I share this planet with and I pray for a new news story to come along quickly for the haters to fixate upon and if you ever read this I want you to know that from here on out and from this day forward everyday is a new day and I'm grateful your little boy is ok. Much love and healing to you and your family.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/woman-who-dropped-2-year-old-son-into-cheetah-pit-sentenced
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I'm sorry the beautiful creature was killed but she doesn't deserve all of those horrible remarks! that horrifies me the most! MOST parents have lost sight of a child for a minute.. and a inute is all it takes!! this woman almost lost her child! and when I see the uncaring self-centered ..unforgiving remarks.. it makes me sick for the mind set of today's human race