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Past Events
In 2002, Animal Awareness
organized many successful public eduction booths, demonstrations,
and leafleting. |
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2002
March focused on Ringling Bros while May events
included Clyde Beatty Cole Bros Circus
and a Day of Action Against Veal. Circus demonstrations
were again held in June and August,
September action targeted the rodeo, and
November focused on compassion for turkey's.
November, 2002
Inner Harbor
Compassionate Thanksgiving Event - Friday, Nov. 22, 2002
As the holiday season approaches, far too many people will celebrate
with a traditional feast centered around a turkey. Many volunteers
took part in an event in front of Baltimore's Inner Harbor that encouraged
people to instead choose a feast of compassion and health for this
year's feast. A vegetarian meal is great for human health, the best
choice for the environment, and obviously the most humane and compassionate
choice for the animals.
Many thanks go out to the 20 volunteers who showed up to make this
event a great success! Part of the success of this event was the location.
It was in a very visible part of Baltimore. Both roads of the intersection
are one-way with 4-lanes each, so 8 lanes of heavy rush hour traffic
faced us for the 2 hours that we were there. Plus, it's heavily trafficked
by pedestrians so we were able to give out 500 vegan-packs and many
trays full of vegan food samples and literature. The Inner Harbor
employees were very friendly and also enjoyed our free samples.
Take a look at more
pictures from the Inner Harbor Compassionate Thanksgiving Event. If
you're interested in the recipes that were included in the vegan-packs,
they are on our web site.
Darlene Spence (assisted by PETA's Bruce Friedrich) did a wonderful
job as the turkey on crutches. It turned out to be a very effective
way to educate people to the fact that turkeys become crippled due
to the weight of their bodies when they are bred to such enormous
unnatural size as they do on factory farms.
Thanks also goes out to PETA and Tofurky (Turtle Island Foods) for
their support of this event. Click here to see PETA's holiday
vegan recipes.
To buy vegan Thanksgiving feasts, check out Now and Zen & Tofurky
products:
http://www.nowandzen.net/products.html
http://www.tofurky.com/mainP.htm
Turkey's have unique personalities, just like dogs and cats. Some
are social, some are loaners, and people who live with them on farmed
animal sanctuaries report that they even have varying tastes in music
and TV! The fact that we don't know them so well shouldn't mean that
we support their abuse and slaughter. Thanksgiving should be a time
for celebration, not a time for increased suffering and pain for animals.
Turkeys may not be as cute or cuddly as kittens and puppies, but they
suffer just as much.
Turkey is not a "health" food. Many birds are contaminated with salmonella,
campylobacter, and other diseases. Turkey flesh is also laden with
saturated fat and cholesterol which have been linked to heart disease,
cancer, obesity and diabetes. Go to GoVeg.com
to get a free Vegetarian Starter Kit to learn more.
September, 2002
The Rodeo
and Bull Riding - The Baltimore Arena - Sept. 20 & 21, 2002
WHY PROTEST THIS RODEO?
Every stunt in the rodeo, from calf roping to steer wrestling to saddle
bronco riding is manipulated to get the most entertainment value out
of the event.
PETA describes the tools of torment used by the rodeo as electric
prods, sharp sticks, caustic ointments, and other torturous devices
that are used to irritate and enrage animals used in rodeos. The flank
or "bucking" strap used to make horses and bulls buck is
tightly cinched around their abdomens, where there is no rib cage
protection. Tightened near the large and small intestines and other
vital organs, the belt pinches the groin and genitals. The pain causes
the animals to buck, which is what the rodeo promoters want the animal
to do in order to put on a good show for the crowds.
In a study conducted by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS),
two horses known for their gentle temperament were subjected to the
use of a flank strap. Both bucked until the strap was removed. Then
several rodeo-circuit horses were released from a pen without the
usual flank straps and did not buck, illustrating that the "wild,"
frenzied behavior in the animals is artificially induced by the rodeo
cowboys and promoters of rodeo events.
August, 2002
Circus Leafleting
at Pimlico - Aug. 9, 10, 11, 2002
The Sterling & Reid Bros. Circus came to the Pimlico Race Course Parking
Lot in Baltimore City August 9, 10, and 11. It advertised Herds of
Elephants, lions, rare white tigers, 3 rings of horses, dogs dressed
like people, monkeys, laughing hyena, a 2-headed pig, and "MORE WILD
ANIMALS THAN EVER!
Though the circus seems happy and fun on the outside,
it is a life of unthinkable cruelty and suffering for the animals.
Animal Awareness had a presence at 5 out of 7 shows. Many members
of the Pimlico community thanked us for being there and bringing such
an important message to their attention.
Please write a polite letter to the track and let them know that you
are upset that they sponsored an event that uses animal acts who are
unwilling participants and badly beaten during their training as seen
on www.CircusWatch.com.
Please encourage them to next year hire one of the many fairs, carnivals,
and circuses who do not use animal acts.
Pimlico Race Track
5201 Park Heights Ave.
Baltimore, MD
410-542-9400
Circus Leafleting at Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds - Aug. 12
& 13, 2002
The Sterling & Reid Bros. Circus also came to the Anne Arundel
Co. Fairgrounds, Rt 178, Generals Hwy, in Crownsville. Details can
be found online at http://www.aacountyfair.org/calen.html.
The fairground's phone number is 410-923-3400.
Please write a polite letter to the fairgrounds and let them know
why you are upset that they sponsor an event that uses animal acts
who are unwilling participants and badly beaten during their training
as seen on www.CircusWatch.com.
Please encourage them for next year to instead hire one of the many
fairs, carnivals, and circuses who do not use animal acts.
Anne Arundel County Fair, Inc.
P.O. Box 372
Rt. 178, Generals Hwy.
Crownsville, MD 21032
410-923-3400
June, 2002
Many circuses came through the Baltimore area in the month of June.
Animal Awareness had a presence at most of the events. Many thanks
go out to the dozens of volunteers who showed up to help give a voice
to the animals. Many people who approached our leafleters and sign
holders were curious as to why we were there. That is what it is all
about. Engaging the public in conversation. Some still went into the
circus, others did not, but everyone had a little extra food for thought.
Click here to read the highlights
and to see a list of sponsors who still need to receive your letters.
Please let them know that next summer you would like them to only
sponsor carnivals and circuses that do not use animal acts.
May, 2002
Mother's Day Veal Demo
- May 12, 2002
Animal
Awareness participated in the National Day of Action Against Veal,
which was in support of the national Mother's Day event organized
by Farm Sanctuary.
Our goal was to educate the patrons of the veal-serving restaurants
in Baltimore's Little Italy about the inhumane treatment that veal
calves endure. The reason that the annual day of action is held on
Mother's Day is in honor of the mothers who never get to raise their
calves since they are taken away at birth and put into veal crates.
Dairy cows are constantly kept pregnant so that they will continuously
keep producing milk, which nature intended to go to the calf. Veal
calves are a sad result of those continuous pregnancies.
The demo was very successful with an estimated 20-25 demonstrators
showing up over the 4 hours. We held signs to increase our visibility.
We had plenty of leaflets on hand to give extra details. We had a
very positive response from most of the public. They appreciated our
efforts and even expressed the fact that they had learned new information
about factory farming.
The only negative moment during the day was when the owner of Della
Notte came outside with a plate of veal and offered free samples to
those who were passing by. He must have either started feeling guilty
or maybe his customers complained to him about his inappropriate behavior
because he later came out and offered the demonstrators free bottles
of water.
Why We Participated in the Day of Action Against Veal:
While all forms of factory farming have become inhumane beyond belief,
the life of a calf used for veal is a horror that no living being
should ever suffer. Educated restaurant patrons do not want to see
veal on the menu. Today's socially-conscious public cares about humane
issues when they know about them. Our goal is to make sure that the
public does in fact know the facts surrounding veal production.
Calves raised for "white" veal are confined in crates so
tightly that the animals cannot walk or even turn around. In addition
they are given a diet that is deficient in iron and designed to produce
anemia, and the pale-colored flesh sold as veal. These production
methods are so cruel that they have been outlawed in Europe.
Unfortunately, no laws protect calves from the inhumane practices
that are used to produce veal in the United States, despite widespread
popular opposition to this cruelty. Therefore, it is up to conscientious
patrons of establishments such as those in Little Italy to address
this issue.
Consumers are increasingly interested in patronizing establishments
whose policies are consistent with their own ethical concerns. And
crated, anemic veal is not acceptable to most consumers. More information
about veal production is also available online at www.NoVeal.org.
Clyde
Beatty Cole Bros Circus - May 8, 2002
Though we were not permitted to leaflet in the parking lot of the
Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, we were able to effectively
get our message out to the public. The leafleter who stood at the
Taylor Ave. entrance was able to hand comic books and stickers to
the children of every car that entered. The comic books are extremely
effective. They are very high quality and well-written. They do not
have anything that would scare a child but rather just offers information
about how fun circuses can be that do not have animal acts.
At the Farragut Ave. entrance several demonstrators stood holding
signs and had many more signs along the street and entrance to increase
visibility of the demo. We were also able to put leaflets on cars
during the performance without problem.
Why We Organized Action Against Clyde Beatty:
As reported at www.circuses.com,
Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. has failed to meet minimal federal standards
for the care of animals used in exhibition as established in the Animal
Welfare Act (AWA). In April 1999, the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) filed formal charges of AWA violations against
Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. because the elephants showed signs of being
abused with sharp metal bullhooks. They were charged with animal cruelty
in August 1999 by a New Jersey humane society for overloading and
overworking an elephant. Two elephants, who were described as malnourished
and neglected, died suddenly within a two-week period in August 1999.
In five separate incidents, Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. elephants have
killed two members of the public, injured more than a dozen others,
and rampaged
during performances,
which caused tens of thousands of dollars in property damage.
March, 2002
Ringling Bros & Barnum
and Bailey Circus - March 6-16, 2002
The 11 days of
leafleting and demonstration at the Baltimore Arena were very successful
and our message was very well received by most of the public. There
were only a couple people who walked by and shouted negative comments
such as, "Why do you have to ruin the fun for the children?" One lady
who yelled such a comment came back to the demonstrator after she
had read the leaflet and actually apologized to the demonstrator.
She said that she had no idea what went on in the entertainment industry.
She even thanked the demonstrator for being there and was sorry that
she had made such a quick judgment.
The Baltimore City police tried to deceive the protestors when they
told we could not be there. Luckily we knew our rights and we stayed
without incident. Ringling Bros has a history of persuading police
to mislead other activists as well. The ACLU
warned Richmond police to stop harrassing protestors at Ringling
performances. The animal rights activists protesting at the Richmond
Coliseum complained about the same tactics used by the police as we
encountered. Those officers also misled protestors about city ordinances.
They threatened them with arrest unless they complied.
To read more about the way that Ringling Bros will go to any means
possible to prevent a negative image from being portrayed, read the
article written by Jeff
Stein about how Ringling Bros has used the resources of the CIA.
If they go to this extreme, then it should have been no surprise that
they would have persuaded the Baltimore City Police Department to
lie to a group of demonstrators who were exposing Ringling Bros for
what they really are.
To see more photos from the Ringling Bros protest, click
here.
Why We Organized Action Against Ringling Bros:
As reported at www.circuses.com,
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus has failed to meet minimal
federal standards for the care of animals used in exhibition as established
in the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Ringling paid $20,000 to settle U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) charges of failing to provide veterinary
care to a dying baby elephant. The USDA has also cited Ringling for
failure to possess records of veterinary care, failure to provide
animals with sufficient space, failure to provide animals with exercise,
and endangering tigers who were nearly baked alive in a boxcar because
of poor maintenance of their enclosures. In less than two years, two
baby elephants died, a caged tiger was shot to death, a horse who
was used despite a chronic medical condition died during Ringling’s
traditional animal march, and a wild-caught sea lion was found dead
in her transport container. Of
the 60 elephants touring with Ringling and kept at its Florida compounds,
44 were captured in the wild. At least 17 elephants have died since
1992.
Why We Organize Action Against Circuses:
In addition to years of agonizing mental and physical torment caused
by abusive training techniques, we want to make people aware that
the mere fact that oftentimes circus elephants are kept shackled for
up to 23 hours a day, induces a lifetime of misery.
We want people to be aware that although the circus on the outside
seems colorful, fun, and happy, what you're really buying is a ticket
to a lifetime of suffering, despair and unthinkable hopelessness for
animals. In order for a family to have just one afternoon of entertainment,
animals suffer for a lifetime.
Buying a ticket to any circus is paying to enslave and abuse countless
animals. Their only hope is public awareness through education and
for compassionate citizens everywhere to go to non-animal circuses
like Cirque Du Soliel, which relies on the talents and abilities of
willing participants.
The fact is that no government agency or any humane organization monitors
the training sessions of circus animals. The USDA rarely follows up
even when hard evidence of abuse is found because no one is there
to witness any abuses as it happens, making it difficult to prove
how and from whom the animal received the injury.
Whips, chains, bullhooks and muzzles all bear testimony to the brute
use of force that is implicit in any circus involving wild animals.
Visit CircusWatch.com to
find out why ex-Ringling Bros. employees like Tom Rider have now dedicated
their lives to fighting for these noble, magnificent, and suffering
animals.
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