‘Tiger,’ ‘Elephant,’ and ‘Bear’ to Lead Protest Against Shrine Circus in Wichita
PETA Members Will Call On Families to Shun Midian Shrine Show’s Animal Acts
For Immediate Release:
April 20, 2017
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
What: A costumed “tiger,” “elephant,” and “bear” will lead PETA members in a spirited protest outside the Midian Shrine Circus‘ first show at Wichita’s INTRUST Bank Arena on Friday, after PETA wrote to both the Shriners and the venue asking them not to allow wild-animal performances. Holding signs that read, “Scared and Forced to Perform” and “Cruelty NOT Entertainment,” animal advocates will urge would-be circusgoers to steer clear of the circus until it features only willing, human performers.
When: Friday, April 21, 10 a.m.
Where: The intersection of E. Waterman and S. Emporia streets, Wichita
“At a time when people everywhere are demanding that circuses go animal-free, the Midian Shrine Circus chooses instead to use animals who have been forced to perform using whips and bullhooks,” says PETA Foundation Associate Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Rachel Mathews. “PETA is calling on the Midian Shriners to give the people what they want, which is a show full of talented human performers, not abused animals.”
The Midian Shrine Circus’ producer, the James Cristy Cole Circus, contracts with animal exhibitors who have lengthy records of violating animal-welfare laws. A brand new video by PETA highlights footage from recent Shrine circuses, in which animal handlers whip a tiger on the face, jab an elephant with a bullhook, and cause a bear to urinate from distress as she’s forced to walk on her forelegs.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.
