Nearly Naked Painted Beauties Protest Circus in D.C.
After Ringling Announces Plan to Phase Out Elephant Acts by 2018, PETA Calls for Animals’ Immediate Release
For Immediate Release:
March 18, 2015
Contact:
Alexis Sadoti 202-483-7382
Following Ringling Bros.’ announcement that the circus will phase out its elephant acts by 2018, passersby in Washington, D.C., will get an eyeful on Thursday. A trio of PETA ladies—wearing little more than bodypaint and shackles—will converge outside the Verizon Center ahead of Ringling’s scheduled performance with signs reading, “End Elephant Use and Abuse NOW.” Their goal is to turn back would-be audience members by showing that elephants are beaten and that Ringling was recently caught denying veterinary care to suffering elephants—and leaving them chained inside boxcars for up to four days at a time.
Where: Verizon Center, 601 F St. N.W., Washington
When: Thursday, March 19, 12 p.m.
“Circus life is no life for elephants, who create deep social bonds and roam many miles a day in their natural homes,” says PETA Foundation Deputy General Counsel Delcianna Winders. “PETA is calling on kind people everywhere to look out for elephants by staying away from this cruel circus.”
PETA, whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment,” has released dozens of compelling photos taken at Ringling’s training center that expose how baby elephants are stretched out, slammed to the ground, gouged with steel-tipped bullhooks, and shocked with electric prods. These abusive sessions last for several hours until the baby elephants learn to perform tricks out of the fear of punishment. PETA supporters will protest outside every circus performance during Ringling’s District stay.
For more information, please visit PETA’s website RinglingBeatsAnimals.com.
