'It's not okay': Victims share testimonies at hearing to ban dwarf tossing

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- People with dwarfism say they're not going to take it anymore. They are standing up against the spectacle of 'dwarf tossing' and are making a big push to ban the practice in the state.

For some nightclubs, dwarf tossing is seen as a real attraction. It is the act of throwing someone of short stature onto a mattress or Velcro wall. To others, it's seen as throwing away their dignity.

"This is so dangerous," said Shoshana Kehoe Ehlers, with Little People of America. "And it's also really psychologically damaging to us as a community to be viewed this way."

Individuals and members of Little People of America took their message to the state capitol Thursday of how hurtful it can be inside and out.

"I'm a physical assault survivor and scared for my life," testified Peter Reckendorf. He told a state senate committee some people think those with dwarfism are all fair game to be thrown around. "I'm so scared to walk the streets of Washington state unknowing what's just around the corner. "It's a difficult topic when it's affected you so directly."

This is a message delivered by 12-year-old Ayden Harris, who was born with dwarfism. "To not do dwarf tossing," he said with the capitol in the background. "It's a really bad for us LPs because it can really injure ourself."

Ayden wants the focus to be on them as human beings, like how he was portrayed on the KOMO News series Eric's Heroes. Not as something to be stared at one of these events.

"Dwarf tossing is hurtful and not fun," he testified. "Dwarf tossing sends a message that bullying people who are smaller than you is okay. It's not okay."

But there are those who say this should be the choice of the little person, people like Mighty Mike Murga who makes a living at this as an entertainer. But after he was thrown at a strip club in Spokane, medical student Robert Eagle was deeply offended. "Made my heart sink," he testified from Spokane.

He contacted State Sen. Mike Padden (R-Spokane Valley) for a bill (SB-5486) to ban the practice. "It comes down to basic common decency," he said at the hearing.

If passed Washington would join Florida and New York as the only states to ground this event. The bill would have nightclubs lose their liquor license and be fined $1,000 if they went ahead with dwarf tossing.

The bill has to be approved by the senate committee and full senate before being sent over to the House for hearings and a vote.