Seriously? All you can focus on is just this one picture? That girl happens to be one of my friends, and she is a very sweet, loving, and peaceful person. Appearances aren't everything. The signs aren't really intended for the kids but more for the adults who are making the decision to patronize the circus and in turn, horrible animal abuse and imprisonment.
That's wonderful your kids had a good time, but I'm sure there are plenty of other animal friendly attractions out there where your kids would be equally enchanted.

By spending your money on the circus to entertain your kids - you're supporting animal cruelty. Denial is not just a river in Egypt. Find another way to have fun w/your kids that does NOT involve the beating, whipping and electic shocking animals to 'perform' for humans!!

Really? Is that all you can say? Right you don't want to see an elephant being abused but you'll take your children to see them perform for your entertainment that's liek saying I don't want to kill the cow I eat but don't mind if someone else kills it! Try again moran!

They loved it, although it was really expensive. I would have prefered a flat entry fee that included everything (animal rides, ext.). Oh, and my wife took them, I wasen't kidding when I said I'm freaked out by clowns..'

Tony C, I can't help but believe that if your children saw the way circuses beat and abuse their animals to train them to perform circus tricks, they would freak out and never attend another circus and stay home with you. Children can recognize animal abuse when they see it.

Because more and more people are becoming eduated about the abuse of circus animals and are willing to do something about it.

The Internet has changed the way we get information and communicate. Google, YouTube and facebook allow people to communicate in ways like never before. More and more people are learning for the first time the inhumane lives these animals live. As sickening as those videos of baby, adult elephants and other circus animals are to watch, they do prove beyond any doubts that these animals are abused just to make them perform circus tricks for entertainment. The more you edcuate yourself on the topic the worse it gets. For me to remain silent about this circus animal abuse would be to condone it. My conscience won’t allow that.

It is the Dist 58 Education Foundation that sponsors the circus - not Oneill - they just set up there because of the space.

When the School District provides space for the circus to set up at O’Neill and they sell tickets to the circus at District 58 Administrative Service Center and the School District advertises the circus’s arrival, then the Downers Grove School District is equally involved with bringing Kelly Miller Circus to town.

Me too...although I'd be far more interested to hear their response to the substance behind the protests than just the protest itself.

Protesters are easy to "spin" away. I'd like to hear their response to allegations that providing business to these circuses supports abusive practices. Harder to get out of that one, but they'll probably say that the circus they hired is licensed and meets all regulatory requirements, etc. And they likely won't be wrong in saying so, but it also sidesteps the real issue. This is how circuses have been justified for decades.

I would also like to know if protesters went to the Foundation and district prior to demonstrating with their concerns.

Melanie, there is a monumental difference between animals you mentioned and you need only scroll up to see the videos and pictures. They're right there in front of you.

Those that are raised for food typically have a very comfortable life being fed to become fat and happy and then have one very bad day when they are killed for processing. Of course, if those animals are abused every day of their lives, it is equally objectionable.

Likewise, zoo and aquarium animals are typically not beaten into performing unnatural acts but are usually kept in natural environments and allowed to live natural lives (although I do take issue with dolphin and whale shows which are unnatural and in my opinion abusive).

Circus animals are bred to be broken of spirit in order to be trained to perform unnatural behaviors in unnatural environments for paying customers 11 months of the year.

To be fair, Scott, animals raised for food by-and-large do NOT have a comfortable life leading up to the day they are killed.

Similar to your sentiments, I'm always conflicted on how I feel about zoos. On the one hand, zoos (if they're good zoos, which the nearest one to us is), offer an amazing service both to the public and to the animals they care for which can't be understated. On the other hand, you're still taking animals out of their natural habitat and putting them on display for our entertainment.

Robert, its a sliding scale to be sure. But make no mistake, circus animals are close to the furthest end of animal abuse. They are raised to be broken so that they perform. It is that simple.

Very true that many animals raised for consumption don't enjoy cage free days on the idyllic grassy countryside (like most cattle you see driving through Wisconsin) but instead are in rough conditions (corporate cattle farming in California). The market is working to make improvements here (as people become more aware and buy cage free, free range, etc.). But yes, a sliding scale/spectrum exists there too.

You are also correct that zoos, and the various animals in them, can fit in different points of the spectrum. I generally like zoos, but prefer those that are as close to natural habitat and stress free for the animal as possible. Those that focus on rehabilitating injured animals that couldn't survive in the wild (eagles with broken wings, animals abandoned by their mothers and left to die and rescued but only able to survive in captivity) are preferable to those that breed animals for the sake of captivity, especially when their facilities are subpar. And then there are sorry excuses for "zoos" that are arguably as abusive as circuses. It runs the gamut for sure.

There is definitely a broad range. No doubt. And we all have to decide where our comfort level lies and accept it is different for everyone. But knowledge is power.

Good points. Some of the protesters (maybe all - I don't know them all) are vegan, meaning they are against all animal exploitation. They don't eat animal products or patronize zoos or other forms of animal entertainment because of the violence and/or imprisonment found in almost all animal industries. Melanie, please go to http://www.watchearthlings.com to see how abusive the meat and dairy industries are. Animals undergo horrid abuse for food.
Do you think it's practical for these suburbanites to go to the MIDDLE EAST to start picketing? Really?? How do you know that they don't already participate in other causes anyway? Just because they're participating in this one protest doesn't mean they don't participate in other causes (such as human causes, as you seem to think they are much more important).
"If you don't like it don't go!" Too bad the animals don't have that choice.

I find it interesting - when confronted w/factual information about circus animal abuse - how people deflect to other issues. This is a discussion thread about circus animal abuse, Melanie. Let's stick to the topic at hand.

Yes they will change although some change takes time. If everyone had this frame of thinking nobody would ever stand up for anything. We use to have slavery now we don't, we use to (those who could afford of course) wear fur couats now you don't see them as often, we use to have women be second class citizen now we don't, animal cruelty is now a felony is most states. YES WE WILL ABOLISH ALL ANIMAL CRUELTY. Very small way of thinking you have.

the topic at hand is animal abuse and exploitation and farming animals for food or forcing them to perform in circuses are both examples of this. so called "humane" methods such as free range and cage free are just labels to make people feel better about torturing and slaughtering animals for their own personal gratification.
to learn the truth, see this website: http://www.humanemyth.org/

“So many people insist they are against animal abuse, cruelty, suffering and the inhumane treatment of animals, yet they don’t understand they are actively engaging in and supporting egregious suffering, abuse, cruelty and inhumane treatment when they eat animals and their ‘by-products.’ If you are against cruelty, suffering and inhumane treatment, then you go vegan. It’s just that simple.” - Sarah Kiser

Fair point Tony. But if not for the protesters, we may not be having this exchange of ideas/information. So maybe she didn't win converts in that moment/picture. But her actions have contributed to a further discussion of the issue. And for that, I stand up and slow clap for her!

Tony, you're shooting the messenger. What about the MESSAGE???!! Would you prefer the protesters put glitter on the brochures? Or how about a little bit of lace around the posters? The MESSAGE is what should turn your stomach, not how 'pretty' it's presented.

Dianna, I think Tony has a point when you're talking about how to present an issue to such a young age (as it relates to imagery). I know the protest was aimed at the parents, and not the kids, but the visuals are still something to keep in mind. It's an interesting discussion at the very least.

That being said, I thought the actual imagery on the billboards and pamphlets was fairly subdued when compared to visuals often used in animal-rights protests and leaflets.

Thank you for the apology, Tony. As someone else already mentioned, It doesn't look like that one picture I see there is too graphic. I don't know about the other signs not pictured above. But it looks like most of them just have words and not images.

Okay then what should be done? Should we wait around for their adult parents to tell them about it. I doubt that would happen! Animal Cruelty is happening and yes Animal Advocates will protest weather you like it or not!

So basicailly the little girl had more of a human soul then her parent? Because her parents saw the picture yet chose to take her inside the tent that houses those beaten animals.

Wow, Melanie, pot calling the kettle black, eh? I read over my post and made sure I didn't attack YOU personally, but thanks for attacking me and my intelligence. Speechless.

I'm very sorry if your daughter was upset. I wasn't at the protest, but from the picture above, it doesn't look like the images being used in the protest were all that graphic. Looks like a lot of the signs just had words on them too.

It is encouraging that the Ed Foundation President finally spoke up. I don't see how they can continue to ignore this animal abuse for entertainment, let's hope this is the last year the circus is invited back.
Mr. Stocki there is a way to tell how these elephants were trained in the past, watch this video of Becky. This is the way all circus elephants are trained. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iouGQD6lf6A
http://www.ringlingbeatsanimals.com/bound-babies.asp
http://www.ad-international.org/media_centre/go.php?id=2128
YouTube is full of videos and pictures showing the entire circus industry abusing and beating these elephants to train them to perform. A picture speaks a thousand words and a video leaves little doubts.

Do we know whether these were local protesters? Did anyone recognize them? Just curious whether this action reflects a local concern or is part of a larger effort.

I can't speak for all of them, but some of them were from DG. Also, one woman I spoke to said they weren't with any organized group like PETA, but i'm not sure if that applied to everyone who protested. The woman i spoke to about that had gotten signs sent to her from PETA, but said she was just out there on her own behalf.

Yep, it's a grassroots west suburban group who cares about animal issues. They're not affiliated with PETA.

Earl,

perhaps you should educate yourself on the facts before you sarcastically trivialize the abuse and suffering of the enslaved animals that are forced into performing for people's amusement and profit:
"Elephants in circuses have gone on rampages, injuring and killing spectators and causing property damage. Since 1990, 18 people have been killed and 86 have been injured. In 1994 an elephant named Tyke killed her handler, then went on a rampage in the streets of Honolulu, injuring onlookers and damaging property. Tyke was eventually gunned down by police on a busy street. Other incidents have occurred when elephants are frightened, sometimes by the honking of car horns or other stressors. Tigers have also been known to attack and kill their trainers; others have escaped into terrified communities.
Some elephants used in circuses have been found to carry a human strain of tuberculosis (TB). These animals pose a serious health risk since they are in contact with the public during publicity events and when children receive elephant rides."

http://www.idausa.org/facts/circusfacts.html http://www.bornfreeusa.org/a1a2_circus.php

have you seen "The Interrupters"? I saw it when it opened at the Siskel Center and some of the people involved came and spoke during a Q&A following the film. Good movie, but I couldn't help but feel that I knew how the story ended and that in some ways the efforts made by the Interrupters were futile. Every day the sun still rises, yknow?

Robert, I did see it. I have read about their work as well and the program is very successful.

Here's a list of animal-free circuses:
http://tiny.cc/animal-free1

I've also suggested the importance of offering alternatives insofar as doing so is being an engaged community member, but I disagree that there is any burden on those highlighting the poor treatment of circus animals. I don't think the protesters (or their supporters) have an obligation to provide an alternative option if their goal is simply to raise awareness and provide information that is otherwise lacking to the circus consumers. But yes, it would be nice. And in that regard, Dee has offered the list of animal free circuses...not that circuses are the only option.

Scott, I understand your reservation. I am not out to shame anyone or any communities because of what they are not aware of; I apologize if my post came across that way. I do think we need to be aware of these connections and how our lack of awareness about all types of abuse is fundamentally damaging to our social fabric. The sources I’ve previously cited are worth referring to to learn more.

Animal abuse is just one type of abuse and all types are connected. A dialogue like this does provide an opportunity to show how these connections are deeper than just one issue. And our culture is currently examining the very dangerous aspect of staying silent and not taking action when it comes to the many faces of abuse. The culture of the circus industry is steeped in "old ways" which includes abuse to animals. And abuse is a silent epidemic in our country. The recent NIOT documentary is worth viewing to learn more about how our society relates to abuse: http://video.pbs.org/video/2137348207/ I understand your feelings about PETA but I am not affiliated with them, any group, or any of the sources I have cited.

Also, I want to say that I decided to share this perspective based on the original post left by Earl McGuire.