PEACEFUL protesters were subjected to a torrent of abuse during a demonstration outside a controversial animal circus.
Animal lovers and animal welfare campaigners from across Manchester joined forces to hold the protest outside Peter Jolly's circus which had pitched up on land off Hollin Lane, Middleton.
The campaigners stood next to the entrance gates with banners, handing out leaflets to those going into the circus. But half an hour before the show began the protesters were threatened and verbally abused by circus staff.
Along with being branded "terrorists" and "grave robbers", coupled with a string of four-letter expletives, one young girl was subjected to a barrage of abuse when trying to hand leaflets to a family.
Police attended the scene to ensure the situation didn't escalate and the protestors quietly moved off once the second show of the evening started.
Carol White, a member of the Stockport division of the Manchester Animal Protection, said: "It is unbelievable that we have been called terrorists for standing outside a circus with a banner and handing out leaflets.
"We have not stopped anyone from going into the circus and have not blocked the entrance. We are not trying to spoil their livelihoods we just want to make people aware of what happens to circus animals and hopefully make the circus reconsider what they do."
The circus has attracted criticism for its use of animals over its 35-year history. As well as camels, horses, llamas, snakes, baby crocodiles, a zebra and a bull, the circus has the last performing bear in the country, a 23-year-old Canadian black bear called Ming. He is brought into the ring to drink a bottle of milk during the show.
And it wasn't just the protesters who disagreed with the circus. One group of children who had been to the show were upset at the use of animals.
A 13-year-old girl said: "I thought it was horrible. The bear should be out in the wild not in a circus. I liked the tricks done by the people but nothing with the animals in."
Her 11-year-old companion said: "I saw them whip the horses and the bear. I thought it was twisted."
John Bailey of Manchester Animal Protection said: "It is the time for Ming and all the other animals to be retired to sanctuaries rather than being dragged around to perform for the public."
A few families did, however, enjoy the circus. Charlene Reynolds who brought her two young children to the show said: "It was enjoyable and I didn't see anything cruel going on."
Daughter, Shannon, six, added: "I thought it was really good. I really liked the snakes. I loved the colour of them."
Her brother Connor, four, added: "I liked all the animals."
The circus owners insist the animals are cared for and treated properly and that the protests do not put people off going to their shows.
Chris Barltrop, spokesman for Jolly's, said: "The circus did not feel that the protesters behaved appropriately. Blocking the gateway will inevitably lead to friction. If they are going to protest they should do so without obstruction.
"The circus feels the protesters were provocatively and deliberately agressive."
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Chris Barltrop, Jolly's Circus (28/10/2005 at 09:44)
I am alarmed that, in spite of my long conversation with your reporter about the Animal Rights demonstration outside Jolly's Circus, the Middleton Guardian chose to slant its subsequent report so heavily in favour of the comments of the campaigners.
Your headline suggests that police were called by the protestors because the circus people behaved badly. In fact, it was Jolly's Circus who rang to ask Police advice when the campaigners, exceeding their right to peaceful protest, blocked the gate to the circus field.
The Police advised the Circus that they could themselves request the protestors to move. Most did so, but one woman refused.
Because of her unnecessarily difficult attitude, tempers became frayed, not least among audience members who complained to the Circus about difficulty of access and about the protestors' behaviour.
The Police arrived to help the Circus people as they had promised, and a show of exemplary behaviour was then made by those who had not until then impressed us as showing a responsible attitude to their fellow human beings.
Animal welfare workers would no doubt be proposing alterations to the way circus animals are kept. The government has addressed this issue in the Animal Welfare Bill about to come to Parliament. The Minister, Ben Brown, has made clear that circus animals will not be banned, but strict controls will be imposed. Jolly's Circus welcomes that legislation, which will prove to the public that claims of cruelty are unfounded.
As I pointed out to your reporter, the banner-wavers outside the Circus are not animal welfare campaigners but an Animal Rights group. The Animal Rights movement, some of whose members' behaviour has led the Government to bring in new Laws to curtain their violent activities, clearly states its wish to end all contact between people and animals.
Attacks on Circuses are an attempt to mislead the public further along that intended path, which is a dangerous one for society as a whole.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Barltrop
JOLLY'S CIRCUS SPOKESMAN
Sarah, Stockport (31/10/2005 at 14:35)
We do not wish to ban circuses - we merely wish to see an end to the use of animals within circuses. There is much more talent and excitement to be witnessed from human performers than there is from some sad, weary animals who are made to perform demeaning and degrading tasks in front of an audience. These days the majority of people are uncomfortable with the use of animals for entertainment and would quite happily do without such a spectacle.
Get into the 21st century - animals belong in the wild, not in a big top.