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A little bit of activism
Nov. 14th, 2009 10:22 amIt's no secret to any of you who have been reading this for a long time that my personal politics are very left-leaning and liberal. But you also know that I don't often post about the causes I believe in, mostly because I'm a live-and-let live kinda girl, and I feel like it's not my place to try to force my views on anyone.
However, I'm starting to rethink that approach. Or at least, rethink that approach as far as my thoughts on animal rights are concerned.
And since I'm moving in that direction, I wanted you all to read a letter (found below) that I've put my name on. One of my colleagues, a fellow animal lover, was kind enough to draft it, and joined forces with me and a few other folks from our office to express our opposition to a couple circuses that are coming to town. It was printed in the online version of the Chicago Sun Times and we have our fingers crossed that it will help educate others about the abuses suffered by circus animals.
Read on, and if you're so inspired, write your own letter and get involved as well!
To the Editor:
We are deeply concerned by the University of Illinois Chicago Pavilion’s and United Center’s decision to bring circuses with performing wild animals to our city next week. It is especially surprising that the University of Illinois, which is known for its veterinary program, would be willing to host a circus with animals.
The elephants, big cats, bears, primates, and other wild animals who are used in circuses endure inhumane and abusive training and living conditions. Documented abuses include beatings with bull hooks, discipline with electric prods, and the use of chain restraints. Though this might sound hard to believe, it is real. You can see videos of these abuses, and read more about them, at http://www.circuses.com/getactive.asp and at http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/circuses_entertainment/facts/circus_myths.html. Ringling Bros in particular was taken to court on charges that it abused elephants in violation of the Endangered Species Act.
When these animals are not performing, they spend the majority of their time in extremely close confinement, caged or chained with only enough room to stand up and turn around. Yet they have little legal protection at state or federal levels.
In addition, performing wild animals pose a real threat to public safety, precisely because they are wild and therefore unpredictable. No amount of training or affection can eliminate this danger. Popular human-only circuses such as Cirque du Soleil have demonstrated that the use of animals in circuses is entirely unnecessary.
We can do our part to help stop the abuse happening in circuses. We urge the University of Illinois Chicago Pavilion and United Center not to sponsor circuses that involve animals, and we encourage the public not to support these events. If you would like to send a letter to a sponsor or venue asking them to do their part by not sponsoring these events, you can find one at http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/issues_facing_wildlife/circuses/what_you_can_do_about_circuses/sample_letter_to_an_organizersponsor_about_circuses.html
Sincerely,
Jenny Seay
However, I'm starting to rethink that approach. Or at least, rethink that approach as far as my thoughts on animal rights are concerned.
And since I'm moving in that direction, I wanted you all to read a letter (found below) that I've put my name on. One of my colleagues, a fellow animal lover, was kind enough to draft it, and joined forces with me and a few other folks from our office to express our opposition to a couple circuses that are coming to town. It was printed in the online version of the Chicago Sun Times and we have our fingers crossed that it will help educate others about the abuses suffered by circus animals.
Read on, and if you're so inspired, write your own letter and get involved as well!
To the Editor:
We are deeply concerned by the University of Illinois Chicago Pavilion’s and United Center’s decision to bring circuses with performing wild animals to our city next week. It is especially surprising that the University of Illinois, which is known for its veterinary program, would be willing to host a circus with animals.
The elephants, big cats, bears, primates, and other wild animals who are used in circuses endure inhumane and abusive training and living conditions. Documented abuses include beatings with bull hooks, discipline with electric prods, and the use of chain restraints. Though this might sound hard to believe, it is real. You can see videos of these abuses, and read more about them, at http://www.circuses.com/getactive.asp and at http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/circuses_entertainment/facts/circus_myths.html. Ringling Bros in particular was taken to court on charges that it abused elephants in violation of the Endangered Species Act.
When these animals are not performing, they spend the majority of their time in extremely close confinement, caged or chained with only enough room to stand up and turn around. Yet they have little legal protection at state or federal levels.
In addition, performing wild animals pose a real threat to public safety, precisely because they are wild and therefore unpredictable. No amount of training or affection can eliminate this danger. Popular human-only circuses such as Cirque du Soleil have demonstrated that the use of animals in circuses is entirely unnecessary.
We can do our part to help stop the abuse happening in circuses. We urge the University of Illinois Chicago Pavilion and United Center not to sponsor circuses that involve animals, and we encourage the public not to support these events. If you would like to send a letter to a sponsor or venue asking them to do their part by not sponsoring these events, you can find one at http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/issues_facing_wildlife/circuses/what_you_can_do_about_circuses/sample_letter_to_an_organizersponsor_about_circuses.html
Sincerely,
Jenny Seay
