Circus is coming to Nashville, want to protest, but how?

[AmandasMom]

I've never protested, I've always been silent, but I've always admired those who go out and stand up for what they belive in. I'm not sure why I've never protested anything, scared maybe? Scared of what, I dunno.

Anyway, Ringling Bro's is coming to Nashville in January, and I want to protest! I want to let people know how horrible circus animals are treated, I want all cirucs shows to be animal-free.

But I can't find any info on any website about any protests? Just the other day on the news I saw a small group of anti-fur demonstrators on the news. I would have gone to that if I had known about it. So.. how do I find out about this stuff? I'm a member of PETA, but don't see anywhere about organized demonstrations.

So where do i need to go or what do I need to do to become active, to make my voice heard, to speak up for the animals?

[Ilaria]

Send an email to PETA, I am sure they have a local rep who is organizing something!

[JessicaS]

I agree, PETA is always a good source for something like this.

I don't always agree with their tactics, but they do have passion which you have to admire.

[AmandasMom]

Thank you for all the replies! I did email PETA, and I'm working on a "letter to the editor", but I'm worried that they may not print my letter if I dont include my full name and city/state. If they won't I'll make up a name and address and go from there. I joined PETA because they aren't as radical as The Animal Defense League , who describe themselves as a militant, grassroots, animal rights organization. And tho I'm 100% for animal rights, I didn't want to join an organization who think the ONLY way to change minds is through civil disobedience. PETA encourages letter writing, demonstrations, etc, but not civil disobedience like ADL does.

ADL says "...we think there are more effective strategies than writing letters, participating in boycotts, and holding signs. Each of these tactics has their place, and we use them as well, but we frequently risk our personal freedom in the form of civil disobedience..." http://www.animaldefense.com/

Tho there are some in PETA who do that also, but the entire organization is not based on civil disobedience.

Even though I won't be able to stop the circus, I hope that I can make my voice be heard about how horrible it is for the animals to be part of a circus. I hope to at the very least get some people to think about it, because sadly most probably have no idea (most probably dont care either) what kind of "life" circus animals have.

[Potty Diva]

Ringling Brothers treat their animals very humanely, and when possible the animals live with the trainers/performers in their homes/trailers. They are very conscientious of how they are treated.

Although I wish all animals were out of the circus, many of these animals have been with the circus sinec birth and would not be able to survive in the wild if released. Instead they would be sent to zoos or places that keep animals. I agree they need to stop bringing animals into the circus altogether.

[Ilaria]

I'm also a member of PETA , Amandasmom.

Watching animals out of their environment and for entertainment, like a circus or a zoo, however they are treated, is the sickest thing any human could do, IMO.

Ringling Circuses are hardly 'good' ones...

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus has failed to meet minimal federal standards for the care of animals used in exhibition as established in the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Ringling paid $20,000 to settle U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) charges of failing to provide veterinary care to a dying baby elephant.

http://www.circuses.com/ringlingfactsheet.html

[TigerTail]

i was gung-ho anti-circus, kim, and then i read (well, reread) 'tribe of tiger'... granted, circus life may not be completely natural, but the circus tigers were MUCH much happier than zoo tigers, and seem to enjoy their work. the trainers do not abuse the tigers; a pissed-off tiger is not safe to work with. it's still not ideal, but considering how many captive tigers are euthanized (once they have contributed to the gene pool, they are essentially considered useless- there is no place to put them. do you want excess tigers in your village? neither do bengalis. yes, there are too many people- but saving the rainforests and addressing overpopulation is not the subject of this post), i think they'd rather be alive and in the circus. (but i'm more cirque du soleil, for sure. i'm not going.)

suse

[oatmeal]

PROTEST!

Here are some emails of contacts at PETA who will help you.

I am a protest contact for PETA in Los Angeles and have spent years protesting Ringling Bros. Th elephants in their custody undergo unspeakable mental anguish and go "insane" resulting in some of the stampedes you have probably heard of that end up killing spectators. they torutre their elephants with bullhooks and tazers and do unspeakable things to their chimpanzees and lions and tigers. This is an unspeakable operation that sould be outlawed.

Good for you for wanting to do something about it!!

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They will send you pamphlets, posters, and contact information for other animal rights advocates in Nashiville -they may even be planning a protest already and just need to get you on their emailing list.

You go to the circus, you TELL people in line what has been done to these animals. Many people don't listen - but many people do - and they decide not to treat their kids to show of animal cruelty and walk away while right in line. I have seen it many times.

PLEASE contact them - they will support you with whatever you need.

ANIMALS HAVE NO VOICE, and it is up to us stop the cruelty against them.

Good luck!