[Molly Fallis and Ramsey Sprague sent along the following announcement about upcoming protests at Will Rogers Coliseum, where the Shrine Circus is currently presenting shows. Some of my own thoughts can be found below the announcement.]
From Molly:
"This is something I feel very strongly about and wish I could attend but I'll be out of town....PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!!! At the very least, please don't support animal cruelty and exploitation. Going to this kind of circus IS NOT some childhood right [sic] of passage! There's a zillion other things you can do with your kids for fun! Don't take them!!! I went as a child and figured out on my own that this shit ain't cool! Peace! Molly (thanks Ramz)
I've added a couple of links...tell me if it looks like these elephants are living happy lives and having fun...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMlS3KG7nRM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9akKP6RPbY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7u1uTNdp2c
ever wonder how they learn all those tricks???"
----------
WHAT: Peaceful Educational Outreach at the Shrine Circus
WHO: ALL COMPASSIONATE PEOPLE in the DFW Metroplex (If those who care about animal abuse don't come, NO ONE will speak for these frightened and abused animals). Isn't this worth 30 minutes to one hour of your time?
WHEN: REMAINING EVENTS ARE----
Friday, November 16, 6 PM, (doors open 6 PM, circus starts 7PM)
Saturday, November 17, 5:30 PM (doors open 6 PM, circus starts 7PM)
WHY: Animals in the circus are tortured, not trained, into performing.
Animals do not naturally ride bicycles, stand on their heads, balance on balls, or jump through rings of fire. To force them to perform these confusing, physically uncomfortable and often frightening tricks, trainers use whips, tight collars, muzzles, electric prods, bullhooks, and other painful tools of the trade. Educate the public that intelligent, social animals are deprived of ALL their natural behaviors and forced to perform silly tricks for humans.
Speak up for the animals who have no voice!
IF NOT YOU, THEN WHO?
IF NOT NOW, WHEN?
WHERE:
Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum
3401 W. Lancaster Ave.
Fort Worth, TX 76107
Look for us leafleting along the sidewalk at each gate and at the ticket counter.
CONTACT: Margaret Morin at dogs_good (at) yahoo.com or 972-578-0370 or 972-571-9603 (cell # for day of circus use only, please)
DIRECTIONS: Take I-30 to Fort Worth, Exit University. North on University. Turn left on Lancaster and look for tall tower.
Map: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&addtohistory=&address=3401%20W%20Lancaster%20Ave&city=Fort%20Worth&state=TX&zipcode=76107%2d3045&country=US&geodiff=1
Parking: Free Parking across the street from the WRC at the Kimbell Museum.
PLEASE POST ON YOUR MYSPACE PAGES!
CROSS POST THIS EMAIL TO YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY!
HELP MOBILIZE CARING PEOPLE TO SPEAK FOR VOICELESS ANIMALS!
To ensure you get such announcements in the future, if you are not yet a Vegetarian Network of Dallas member (free), please join now by going to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VegetarianNetworkofDallas/
Thank you.
Margaret Morin
Vegetarian Network of Dallas
www.vegnod.com
++++++++ my thoughts: +++++++++
Just a few days ago, I read that Nazi officers, as part of their training, were given live animals to feed, care for, play with, and name. They were eventually forced to kill these animals that they had bonded with, without expressing any emotion. No wonder the Nazis were able to callously perform the heinous torture and murder of thousands of human beings.
+++++
As a child, I was taken to circuses now and then. I often felt queasy during these shows, and never quite understood why. The clowns scared me, with their garish antics and exploding devices. And to see the animals lumbering and galloping in circles, through hoops, or into nets made them seem like heroes to me--surviving the crazy challenges that their handlers were subjecting them to. It was a metaphor for survival in an illogical, uncomprehending and unsympathetic world.
+++++
An Austin poet named Kevin used to perform a poem titled "Smashing the Butterfly". It was profound. The poem was about Kevin's experience as a horse trainer, working with a veteran who knew the tricks of "breaking" a horse. Through the course of the poem, we learn that this experience was very traumatic for Kevin, and certainly for the horses. The upshot of the poem is that, as you smash the spirit or will of the creature with which you are working, you are--at the same time--killing something within yourself. Doomed to be broken. Amazing poem--I wonder where Kevin is today?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment