Groupon Meeting to Be Plagued by Protests Against SeaWorld, Circus Promos
PETA Will Call for an End to Partnerships That Exploit Animals for Entertainment
For Immediate Release:
June 7, 2016
Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382
Brandishing signs proclaiming, “Groupon Promotes Cruelty to Animals,” PETA protesters will greet Groupon shareholders as they arrive for the company’s annual meeting on Wednesday. At the meeting, PETA—which is a Groupon shareholder—will speak in support of its shareholder resolution calling on the company to stop partnering with SeaWorld, Ringling Bros., UniverSoul Circus, and other companies that exploit animals for entertainment.
When: Wednesday, June 8, 9:30 a.m.
Where: 35 W. Wacker Dr., Chicago
“Orcas don’t belong in concrete tanks, tigers don’t belong in circuses, and cruel animal exploiters don’t belong on Groupon’s website,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA is calling on Groupon to listen to a public that has overwhelmingly turned against businesses like SeaWorld.”
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—notes that animals used for entertainment are denied everything that’s natural and important to them. Elephants, tigers, and other animals in circuses are beaten, whipped, and shocked with electric prods. Far-ranging orcas at SeaWorld are confined to tiny concrete tanks and break their teeth by gnawing on the concrete walls and pool gates out of stress and frustration. While Kellogg’s, Mattel, Taco Bell, and others have stopped promoting SeaWorld and other animal exhibitors, Groupon has continued.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.
