something needs to be done about PETA

[imported_trumpet1988]

(from the Kingsport Times)

JOHNSON CITY - As stunts go, a protest against the treatment of animals probably drew more attention to the arrival of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus than a circus parade could have.

Sarah Harley stripped (almost) naked at the corner of North State of Franklin Road and West Market Street at noon Thursday to protest the alleged cruelty to animals by the circus.

Painted from head to toe in orange with black stripes, including tiger whiskers, and wearing a pair of ears, Harley knelt on her robe in a wire enclosure at the intersection, concealing herself with a sign reading, "Wild Animals Don't Belong Behind Bars."

Passing motorists, many of them forewarned by a morning of comment and speculation over local talk radio, gawked and some leaned out the window to snap photos with their cell phones.

Harley is an activist for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and follows the circus around the country showing her stripes as other PETA activists hold placards and pass out DVDs and fact sheets of allegations, mostly about the cruel treatment of circus elephants.

"I think it's quite a stunt," said Joanna Wilbee, publicist for the circus, who was reached by cell phone. "They have done this hundreds if not thousands of times across the country, but the fact that Ringling Brothers has three touring units means, I think it's safe to say, they've not had an effect."

In a prepared statement issued by the circus, Ringling Bros. said animals are the stars of the show and are given star treatment, and warned against groups that recycle old, outdated information. They said animal deaths do not equate with abuse, but are part of the natural life cycle.

"Animal care and Asian elephant conservation is paramount at Ringling Bros.," the statement said.

Officials at SunTrust Bank, located on the corner, asked PETA to remove its Lincoln automobile from their parking lot and to take the demonstration out onto the public sidewalk, and the group members willingly complied.

"It's a demonstration of what the circus does to animals," Harley said before doffing her robe and kneeling in the tiny cage. "They spend 90 percent of their time shackled or being kept in suffocating cages."

Harley said she's never actually attended the circus, but has been engaged in PETA activities since she was 12 and gained her appreciation of animals through the organization.

"There's something repulsive about animals performing," she said.

Wilbee invited the public to "come and see the show and make up its own mind. We invite the public to come to the all-access show and see for themselves."

PETA alleges the all-access show uses elephants known to be dangerous with no safety barriers to prevent them from injuring the public.

Not everyone at the busy intersection was with the media, nor were all the photographers.

"I just came by to see a naked lady," said a man who identified himself as Martin Key. "She ain't naked. They kinda lied there. She could have worn a leopard suit and done as good."

He and a companion left when they saw television cameras pointed their way.

Capt. Jerry Tunnell of the Johnson City Police Department, one of several officers at the scene, said Harley was wearing panties that cover the front and back and pasties on her nipples. "She's not naked according to the law, or we wouldn't be sitting here," he said.

[imported_elp6n]

Agreed this woman was a bit insane in her methods (she really had to strip down to get attention?), and I don't always agree with PETA's methods.

But I am one of the ones that will not support circuses because of their treatment of animals. Just one example: being on the road and in trains/convoys 50 weeks out of the year is not condusive to the natural behavior/instincts of animals like elephants, tigers, etc.

These animals dont do their "tricks" because they want to either. The training is brutal and inhumane.

[Monkeyhead]

First off PETA is a bunch of hypocrits, most of the animals they claim they are saving are put to death. I have nothing for them. They make up reports, and make rumours to fit there agenda. They protest in some of the worst ways possible(such as the lady in the article), getting nude in front of everyone including kids.

Secondly, I think it's funny they were told to move there LINCOLN. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[imported_GC_Quincy]

AMEN to everything u said. They were making fun of em on the radio because they advertised their protest the day before and told about the woman. Brilliance isn't one of their best qualities. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Without the "people stopping by" there aren't enough members to get attention. In SWVA we are being overrun by animals that are being put back in places they were when the area was first settled. Till a bear walks across the hood of a car, you just can't imagine how the folks that first settled this area must have struggled to rid themselves of them. Now the moutain lion is being back, I've heard. I have enough problems without trying to stay awake at night to keep this stuff out of the neighborhood. SEND ME A PICTURE, [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]this is close enough to them.

[PVVikeFan]

They just need to sit down to a nice steak dinner.

[starbuck]

Like I've said in post before, There is nothing wrong with PETA itself. You have the extremest, just like you do in every organization. Christians bombing abortion clinic's is another extreme sect in an organization.

[Gotch]

"Sarah Harley stripped (almost) naked at the corner of North State of Franklin Road and West Market Street at noon Thursday to protest the alleged cruelty to animals by the circus."

Soooooo what's the problem??? [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

J/K

I'd think she's probably drawing people there?

[1inStripes]

MOMMY!! MOMMY!! Can I pet the tiger?! [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]