Peaceful Protesting

This past Thursday, my younger brother and I attended the opening day circus demo with NARN (Northwest Animal Rights Network) in Kent, WA.  The purpose of protesting these kind of events is not to force our views on others, but to promote awareness and educate the public on the cruel practices of the circus.  Many people have grown up attending events such as these without questioning them because its what was viewed as normal in their childhood.  A circus is an outdated form of entertainment, which relies on capturing animals from the wild, breaking their spirits by beating them into submission and forcing them to perform painful tricks to make a profit.

I remember as a child, watching the Disney film, Dumbo.  There is a scene in which Dumbo's captured mother rocks him with her trunk from behind bars, while singing him a lullaby.  It was the saddest thing I'd ever seen!  I still tear up watching it. There is truth in this film's message because this is exactly what happens even in present day.  Elephants in the wild live for 60-80 years in herds between 8-100, with the females staying together for life.  The males will stay with the herd until around ages 12-15, when they leave, roaming from herd to herd or living solo.  An elephant that is captured to perform tricks for a circus is subject to a life of imprisonment and isolation that is so debilitating that they often sway from side to side in an effort to comfort themselves.

Here is a line of uninformed parents with their children, either unknowingly or knowingly, teaching their children that it is okay to exploit animals for human entertainment.

Some of the protesters in front of the venue, the Showare Center in Kent, WA.

I'm smiling just because I like to smile, but I am very serious about the issue!

Dusk and the show has started.

Representing NARN and Peta.

Ready to call it a night... for now.  Where there is a circus, I will be back with my signs and leaflets.

If you would like to be a part of a peaceful protest, I highly recommend getting connected with a local group via google search, facebook event, or by simply organizing your own event and meeting up with like-minded strangers along the way.

For more information on the practices of circuses, facts about elephants and what you can do to help, follow the links below.  Happy protesting, loves.

Elephants: Broken Spirits via PETA.org
Under The Big Top via Animal Liberation Front (ALF)
Elephant Facts via Defenders.org
Circus Resources via PETA.org