Circus Protest

ArricA, Mark Local Circu Activ .s protest violation of al iii iights

by Michelle Abels

he Florida-based Circus Pages performance March 28 featured more than a circus in the center ring. Besides the elephants, lions and clowns, several Bloomington residents and students got in on the act. Six protesters from the Bloomington Animal Defense League chained themselves to the circus' main ring and were subsequently arrested as they defiantly screamed their message to the crowd of children and adults. Outside the National Guard Armory, more than 30 protesters stood in the pouring rain amid chants of "Go home Pages" and "The circus isn't fun for animals." Sophomore Jason Harless, co-organizer of the protest and a member of ADL, said the protesters' goal was to challenge the use of animals in the show and to end all forms of animal cruelty. "These people are using animals for money," he said. "People need to know how mistreated those animals are. This is very important." Senior Felicia Holden, also a member of the ADL, said she hoped the protest would increase the community's awareness of animal cruelty and encourage people to find alternative forms of amusement. "These are wild animals," she said. "We should stop using them as entertainment." But Jorge Pages, manager of the Circus Pages, said he did not appreciate the protesters interrupting his performance and was not pleased with the TV cameras and photographers it attracted. "People will get the wrong idea (about the circus)," he said. Still, the protesting continued for 30 minutes, until Bloomington police, with help from a clown with a made-up smile, used enormous lock cutters to remove two women and four men from the locks. The six were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, trespassing and resisting arrest. Junior Tiffany Kinney said if the opportunity ever arose to defend animal rights, she would protest again. "I definitely think [getting arrested] was worth it," she said. "We have a right to protest. Any kind of awareness is worth it. I'd do it again." On March 29 all charges were dropped against the protesters following an in-depth news conference sponsored by the activists. Harless agreed with Kinney and said if the circus came back to town, the protesters would be back. He said he thought the night was successful and hopefully educated some people. "I hope this will bring about more action from students," he said.

Restrained by Bloomington police officers, freshman Seth Stevens, a member of the Animal Defense League, shouts in protest March 28 at the Circus Pages. Stevens and five other community members were arrested after they chained themselves to animal cages in protest of Pages' treatment of the animals. Photo by Kevin Stuart.