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THE SHRINERS' Shameful Circus

The abuse of animals in the circus is often backed by organizations seeking to raise funds, such as the Shrine Association. The USDA has cited Shrine Circus exhibitors for failure to provide veterinary care, adequate shelter from the elements, nutritious food, and clean water. A letter to the editor published in the Chicago Sun-Times stated, "I escorted a group of schoolchildren, including my 8-year-old daughter, to this year's Medinah Shrine Circus.... When the elephants were brought behind the curtain, the trainer began verbally abusing and hitting the elephant. We watched in horror as he swung a stick with all his force and struck the elephant in the back of the leg. This must have hurt because the elephant let out a scream that could be heard throughout the UIC Pavilion. The kids were frightened and asked me why the man was hurting the elephant." The Shrine Associations’ involvement in cruelty directly contradicts the very values they claim to uphold.

MFA activists have been working hard to counter the circus industry’s multi-million dollar ad campaigns that aim to convince the public that animals in the circus are content and perform out of mutual respect for their trainers. This Spring MFA stepped up its anti-circus campaign by organizing 12 circus demonstrations, numerous leafletings, several letters to the editor, and media interviews to show the public that circuses are a poor excuse for entertainment. In April, Aladdin Shrine Circus-goers were confronted by 20 MFA protesters who gathered outside the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus during five silent vigils, mourning the freedoms and lives lost to the circus industry. The activists displayed signs featuring photographs of animals who had become casualties of the vicious circus industry. The press also took notice of MFA’s protest when reporters and camera crews filmed the scene. Thousands of Columbus residents received the message that animals in the circus are denied their precious freedoms for a few cheap tricks.

Dayton’s Antioch Shrine Circus was also the target of protest when 20 demonstrators greeted opening night circus patrons with a banner reading "Abolish Animal Slavery, Boycott the Circus." Other activists displayed signs showing scenes of elephants and tigers who were chained down and gunned down for the circus’ shameful show. Activists were on hand to speak out for the animals during five demonstrations at the University of Dayton Arena during the circus’ stay. As a result nearly every Dayton TV news station ran stories raising much needed awareness to the plight of circus animals. 

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