Protest Against Ringling Bros. Circus

RINGLING BROS. CIRCUS PROTEST 2004/2005:
A REVIEW & A RESOLVE
by Fresno Voices for Animals
“We speak for them because they cannot speak for themselves. We speak for them because their cries and their deaths go unheard and unnoticed. We speak for
them because we are compasssionate toward all species -- not just our own.

WE CHOOSE BECAUSE THEY CAN’T!”
Fresno Voices for Animals

As families crowded into the line for the Ringling Bros.Circus at the Selland Arena last July in Fresno,a small group of local activists walked up and down,handing out informational fliers to patrons and engaging them in conversations on the realities of captive life for circus performing animals.The weather was hot and the reception was not altogether friendly, but the subject remained important to the members of Fresno Voices for Animals —a group that had formed in response to issues like Measure “C ” and travelling animal acts.

The five days of scheduled performances moved along, and so did FVA, gaining support each day from other
local activists, animal rights groups, and concerned citizens. Two days into the protest, we learned that Clyde, a two-year-old lion with the Ringling Bros. Circus, had died in a sweltering boxcar while moving across the Mojave Desert on his way to the Fresno show. The heartbreaking news sealed our resolve, increased our support, and finally earned us media attention from mainstream sources that had previously ignored our efforts.

FVA remained active for the length of the Fresno shows, joined by activists f rom Modesto, Bakersfield, and
numerous local community members. Some people dressed as clowns and handed out balloons and stickers with animal-friendly messages; some held posters with quotes from celebrities that have spoken out against the
injustice of forced animal “entertainment ”; some donned animal masks and wore chains to symbolize the captives inside the Selland Arena; some drummed on buckets and chanted or passed out fliers and specific information on Clyde, the dead lion; some fought for our legal rights to speak out and voice our support for animals. Everyone mobilized in the recognition of the inhumanity of animal circuses and the resolve to stop the violence and exploitation.

Unfortunately, despite wordwide recognition of the wrongs of captive animal “entertainment ” and the
growing opposition to these shows, Ringling Bros.Circus will be back in Fresno this month.

Please join Fresno Voices for Animals and all compassionate people by protesting this circus. Please, never patronize cruel and unnatural captive animal acts. Support instead forms of entertainment that do not rely on animal exploitation for human enjoyment. Write a letter to local papers and other media about the horrors and hazards of forced animal acts. Educate your family and f riends on this issue. And meet us in front of the Selland Arena to make a stand for animals.

WEDNESDAY
JULY 13 AT 6:30 PM
THURSDAY
JULY 14 AT 6:30 PM
FRIDAY
JULY 15 AT 10:00 AM AND 6:30 PM
SATURDAY
JULY 16 AT 10:30 AM, 2:30 PM, AND 6:30 PM
SUNDAY
JULY 17 AT 2:30 PM AND 4:30 PM

FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS PROTEST, PLEASE
CONTACT:
FRESNOVOICESFORANIMALS@YAHOO.COM

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE REALITIES OF
ANIMAL ACTS, PLEASE VISIT:
http://WWW.CIRCUSES.COM
OR http://WWW.PETA.ORG