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Circus Protesters Are Takin' It to the Streets

Written by PETA

Posted 01-05-2011

More than a dozen PETA members in Tampa, Florida, recently got a jump-start on telling Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus exactly what they think of the cruelest show on Earth. The protesters showed their disapproval by gathering along the route that the circus's animal train took to the St. Pete Times Forum, where the circus will be performing.

Um, excuse me. Is parading 3-ton animals through the streets safe for anyone?

The protesters received many waves and honks of support from rush-hour drivers, and they plan to reunite for more demonstrations during Ringling's shows.

In other big-top news, two Lansing, Michigan, businesses dropped their sponsorship of the Caravan Circus after learning from PETA and a local student group that elephants in circuses are beaten with sharp bullhooks and spend most of their lives in chains. PETA is sending both companies a Compassionate Business Award to thank them for taking a stand against circus cruelty.

Written by Michelle Sherrow

Tags:

Florida, Ringling Bros, Tampa, Caravan Circus, St Pete Times Forum

Recent Comments

CLAWZ commented:

Aug 11, 2012 5:32 PM

In response to Megan, even if the circus doesn't abuse animals (which there are plenty of videos to prove otherwise), the animals are still taken from their natural environment in the wild, stripped from their families (elephants are very social animals), confined and/or tied up the entire time except when they're 'learning' their tricks or actually performing in the arena, in transport in hot, crowded trucks which is scary for them, oftentimes don't receive adequate food, water, or vet care, and are treated roughly. Animals have to be prodded with electrical shocks and beaten and tied down, etc. How else are they going to do tricks that they normally don't do in the wild?! I think anyone who tries to say circuses aren't bad for the animals are just trying to justify the horrific treatment to themselves and their families. Like I said, even if there isn't actual physical abuse, circuses are still a living nightmare for the animals because of all the other reasons I mentioned. Please try to put yourselves in the positions of the animals and have empathy for what they go through. Is it really worth it for a night of entertainment for your kids and teaching them that it's okay for animals to suffer as long as everyone has fun?
VeganTraveler commented:

Jan 22, 2012 11:12 PM

CourtneyP - I hope you were able to make it to the protest! We had over 50 people show up for most shows. One mother and her 15 year old daughter attended the show yesterday and decided to come back today to protest. We have at least 20 stores like this and I wasn't there all the time. If Ringling Brothes comes back here they will be have to give away most of their tickets. The local media coverage was very poor. Please check out www.jaxprotest.com or www.thegirlsgonegreen.com for future information on our local campaigns. Many compassionate groups in Jacksonville, FL are combining our resources.
anti-peta commented:

Aug 21, 2011 9:28 PM

Seriously, as one poster stated above that had a sister that worked for them, Ringling does NOT abuse their animals. Do you people believe everything you read? That right there shows your ignorance. I also don't like having to deal with you when I'm with my family at the circus. Stop shoving your stupid literature in my face. Do something more productive then make up lies about Ringling Brothers.
Megan commented:

Aug 4, 2011 10:33 PM

This past weekend my family and I attended the circus in Anaheim California. As we entered we were met by members of PETA. They were not at all aggressive, they were calm, kind, and informative, and for those reasons I listened to what they had to say. Dispite the information I was given my family and I still went in. We have two sons who had been looking forward to the event all week. When I got home I researched the claims made by PETA, and I found it all deeply disturbing. I am now proud to say that my husband and I vow to never attend a circus that includes animal acts. And I plan to share my findings with as many people that will listen. So thank you for the eye opener. If it wasn't for PETA I would have continued to attend the circus and unknowingly promote animal abuse.
ash commented:

Jul 21, 2011 2:31 AM

Here's the thing guys. I went to the circus tonight with no idea about any of this and was met with a crowd of screaming people holding signs and trying to make me feel like an a**hole for trying to plan a fun evening with my family at one of the only family friendly events that ever comes through my town. Just a suggestion, focus your efforts on educating people BEFORE they spend their money and buy a ticket, the circus I attended tonight was sold out at which point it didn't matter if not a single one of us went inside, the circus still had our money. There is nothing heroic about showing up and attempting to admonish a group of people who didn't happen to have the same information as you before had and waving pictures of tortured animals in front of our terrified children (who I'm sure will take their first memory of you far into adulthood as opposed to the friendly clowns they saw inside). Rather than scream at us, the people who had nothing to do with what's going on, try actually attempting to pass legislation to control the people who work at the circus, none of whom seemed to know you were there or give a damn if they did. And if you must show up, try talking to me like a human being rather than screaming and trying to make me feel ashamed about something I had no idea about, there was nothing about the way you behaved that made me want to talk to any of you and judging by the packed arena you didn't change the mind of a single person in the house.
PETA commented:

Feb 28, 2011 4:11 PM

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has four open investigations into Ringling: one for the death of a baby elephant, one for the beating of another, one for the death of a lion who died of heatstroke in a stifling boxcar, and one for an incident in which two elephants ran amok in Puerto Rico, with one sustaining a bone-deep gash. PETA’s undercover investigator traveled with Ringling’s Red Unit for several months through numerous states and documented routine, systemic abuse of elephants and tigers at the hands of multiple Ringling workers, including an animal superintendent, a Ringling head elephant trainer, and other Ringling trainers, handlers, and workers. Please visit http://www.RinglingBeatsAnimals.com for more details about the investigation, to watch the video, and to learn about what you can do to help end the violence.
Ramon357 commented:

Feb 28, 2011 10:29 AM

I live in Cincinnati, Oh and the circus is coming to town in March. If anyone knows of a planned protest, let me know....I will join!!
Christine commented:

Feb 28, 2011 10:09 AM

Janet, See this link. These people are animal abusers. If you are an animal advocate, as you say, you should stand up and denounce this horrendous abuse instead of defending the abusers. http://www.ringlingbeatsanimals.com/
Janet Ross commented:

Feb 24, 2011 4:10 PM

I do not understand why anyone would protest against Barnum & Bailey Circus. My sister performed with them for many years as a trick rider. These animals are treated better than most humans. I know because I have spent a lot of time backstage with my sister. I have personally seen how all of the animals are treated. I am an animal advocate. If Barnum & Bailey was doing anything that even remotely resembled abuse, I would be the first person to make a stance against them. We need to take a stance against the Humane Society. There is nothing humane about them. They torture and kill thousands of animals every day!!!
PETA commented:

Jan 20, 2011 10:35 AM

@ CourtneyP. To take action against Ringling, and participate in any upcoming demonstrations, please join PETA's Action Team here: http://www.peta.org/action/action-team/default.aspx. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights? Read more.

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