We want to give a big thanks to all of the IDA supporters who helped make our Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus protest on opening night in Brooklyn, NY, a raging success! Hundreds of advocates joined IDA and a coalition of animal protection, student, and political organizations to protest Ringling on February 20th, making it, we believe, the largest circus demo on the East Coast for the second year in a row.

Determined ballet students and their families from Brooklyn’s Cynthia King Dance Studio joined us again carrying signs that read “Ballerinas Against Bullhooks” and “Circuses Are Tutu Cruel.” These young dancers were hard to miss in their colorful tutus, sharing the message that they won’t give up as long as Ringling continues to exploit animals in the name of “entertainment.”

Other energized advocates, some wearing elephant and ringmaster costumes and using chains, whips, and a bullhook as props, handed out thousands of leaflets to circus-goers to educate the public about how animals used in circuses are chained and confined to cramped cages, shipped around the country for 50 weeks a year, and cruelly trained to perform unnatural tricks.

When a circus that uses animals comes to your area:
• Urge sponsors to cancel circus promotions
• Post informative comments on social media sites and ask others to share
• Write a letter to the editor of your local paper
• Organize a protest (IDA can help)
• Urge your friends and family not to attend circuses that use animals
• Contact your state and town officials and ask them to enact a ban on animals used in circuses

For more information on how to help captive elephants, please click here.