Rose C. Aleman, Coordinator
Young Adult Services
U.S.Area

On March 1 Ringling Brothers Circus performed at The Bank of Kentucky Center on the grounds of Northern Kentucky University. This circus has been in the news lately because a lawsuit, filed in 2000 on behalf of the circus elephants, is finally being heard in Federal Court in New York. The suit, filed by a coalition of animal welfare groups, alleges that the elephants in the Ringling Brothers Circus are routinely abused with sharpened bullhooks, whips and electric prods.

When Sister Karen Hartman asked for volunteers to demonstrate for the ethical treatment of circus elephants, I was not enthusiastic. Now, people close to me know that I am usually interested in a good protest (more sedately known as a 'demonstration'). But it was cold, I had been sick...and it was on a Sunday, the only day our family can be together all week. Also, I took my son to this very same circus two years ago, and I have the plastic elephant souvenir to prove it! So, it was with some reluctance (and a nagging feeling of hypocrisy) that I bundled into my ski pants and several other layers of clothing, and joined the protest on a freezing cold Sunday. And I am so glad I did! In fact, I wouldn't have missed it for anything!

When we arrived on campus, Sister Karen already had arranged our signs and personnel at the end of the walk from the parking garage to the arena. We were holding signs, distributing flyers to adults and elephant stickers to the kids. Things were going well, only a few people were really annoyed, and then the police showed up! They told us that the Circus had made "reasonable accommodations" for us, and then escorted us to a location FAR away from the line of incoming circus-goers, and surrounded us in on all four sides with metal barricades! WAO! Now I was VERY interested! The sheer irony was almost more than I could stand.  I'm just glad there were no bullhooks.

Sr. Karen Hartman and a young supporter outside the US Bank arena in Cincinnati

Most of our posters were ineffective at such a distance but we had two black and white signs that could still be read so we got them out and continued the protest (uh…demonstration) with renewed vigor. It helped when three college students from People for The Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) joined us...it increased our numbers by 50% (also lowered the average age of the protestor considerably as until that time, I was the only one less than 65 years of age). In another interesting twist, the maintenance staff of the Arena sent us out hot chocolate (feeling guilty for 'caging' the Sisters?). Make of it what you will...but it was a very good time…even though I didn't warm up for three hours. Literally.


Conclusion

SFPs freezing for the cause!

Now, I don't know the "right" way to use animals for entertainment. But I sure know the WRONG way...beating, shocking, whipping, chaining them 95% of the time, separating these highly social and sentient beings from their family group, taking nursing babies from their mothers. There can be no excuse for such treatment in a civilized society. I have investigated the issue, and I have concluded that using animals in a circus is an outdated, unnecessary, and cruel practice. Moreover, it sends to children the message that it’s acceptable to abuse animals for enjoyment and profit. This is not the message I want to send my son. We will not go to another circus with animal acts...EVER. And the plastic elephant souvenir is OUT of my house...and in my office where it can act as a reminder of all I learned by taking part in this demonstration.

A lawyer for the circus group labeled the lawsuit "an assault on an American institution,” asking: "What's a circus without elephants?" Hmmm...Many things that were considered "American institutions" are now illegal (like segregation). And as far as a circus without elephants...it's called the Cirque du Soleil!

© Franciscan Sisters of the Poor

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