(This media release resulted in coverage in local outlets including the Richmond Times-Dispatch.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 19, 2013
Chained Protesters and Caged Woman Converge at Ringling Bros. Circus
Richmond, VA–-The circus is coming to Richmond, but for the stars of the show—the animals—it’s not just fun and games. To draw attention to the plight of the animals who experience abuse and prolonged conferment before their on-stage performances, a member of Richmond Friends of Animals (RFA), dressed as a tiger, will be will be confined to a cage alongside protesters in chains with signs depicting Ringling’s abuse of animals.
When: Wednesday, February 20, 6:00-7:30 pm
Where: Richmond Coliseum
Wild animals such as tigers and elephants do not naturally jump through rings of fire or balance balls on their noses; they must be forced to do so. Circuses like Ringling use violent tools like bullhooks, whips, and electric prods to induce pain and fear so that the animals will perform, and there is little government oversight to stop them. Several former Ringling employees have described abuses they witnessed, including cases of an elephant who was beaten for 30 minutes and a horse who was whipped for 10 minutes with a metal snap. Just over a year ago, Ringling was finally slapped with the largest penalty in circus history – a $270,000 fine for violations of the Animal Welfare Act – yet employees continue to beat, prod, and force sick and lame animals to perform night after night.
Ringling travels 25,000 miles over 11 months, forcing its animals into small boxcars for extensive periods of time in weather extremes without adequate care or medical attention. On average, elephants are chained for over 26 hours at a time, and sometimes even up to 100 hours. As RFA members protest caged and in chains and distribute information to circus-goers, they will provide a voice for these wild animals who are dragged across the country and forced to perform time and time again, while encouraging the public to support animal-free entertainment.
RFA will continue to hold additional demonstrations throughout Ringling’s visit to Richmond. For more information, please visit www.richmondfriendsofanimals.org.
CONTACT: Laura Cascada, [redacted]
Richmond Friends of Animals is a group of volunteers in Richmond who stand up against animal abuse by promoting compassionate choices, holding peaceful demonstrations and outreach events, and directly improving the lives of animals in our community.
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