Garcia, others targeted by cockfighting supporters

Sen. Mary Jane Garcia, D-Doña Ana and the Senate majority whip, is one of three women being targeted by those seeking to kill a proposed state ban on cockfighting.

Garcia was identified last week in Gamefowl News as one of three women long involved in the fight against cockfighting. They are being targeted by cockfighting supporters as part of a campaign to defeat a proposed cockfighting ban in this year’s legislative session. The group wants to dig up dirt about the women in order to discredit or silence them.

The other women are Elisabeth Jennings, executive director of Animal Protection Voters and Danielle Bays, a former Humane Society worker who is now with Animal Protection Voters.

The Albuquerque Journal was the first to report that cockfighting supporters were using a bulletin board on the Internet to discuss their plans to dig up dirt on the three women.

Garcia, who has tried unsuccessfully for 17 years to get a ban on cockfighting in New Mexico, told the Journal she doesn’t care if she’s targeted.

“Whatever grave they want to dig for me, go ahead and dig it,” the Journal quoted her as saying. “I will do what I need to do as a senator.”

Garcia will have the support of Gov. Bill Richardson when the Legislature convenes today. According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, it’s the first time a New Mexico governor has taken a stand against cockfighting, at least in recent memory.

It’s about time. Though I’ve criticized Garcia on other issues in the past, she’s absolutely right about this. It’s time to end this barbaric practice and move New Mexico one step closer to leaving the Stone Age.

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