Maplewood Fourth of July Circus - Please consider NOT supporting
I have lived here for 40 years, and this has always been an issue, the animals and the heat. We finally stopped taking the kids to the circus when they were little because of this. I don't think this has ever been addressed, I could be wrong, if I am please correct me.
When my oldest grandson was about 4 I took him to the circus........which provided at least a short rest for his parents.
He became fascinated that he could raise his hand and the cotton candy vendor would soon be at his side.
Grandpa was a little less fascinated by the time we accumulated pop corn as well as the cotton candy.
It did not take a heck of a long time before the heat became unbearable.
I lured him out of the place with a promise of ice cream for his bottom less stomach.
But yes.........the animals don't have the option of taking a break through the long day of their performance.
Find a circus with humans that are willing to perform . I would expect no less.
For those who do not want to attend the circus but would like to attend the other events being held on July 4, there is now a reduced price tag ($10 per person as opposed to $15 per person for the tag covering all events) which is available in advance or at Memorial Park on the 4th of July.
I'm with you. I've always hated the fact that a town that prides itself on being "green" and "progressive" would allow something as horrible as that little circus. It's animal cruelty, pure and simple, and I'm truly disappointed that Maplewood continues with this particular "tradition."
any circus with animals involved is modern day slavery. im surprised and disappointed maplewood pays good money to support animal torture in this day and age.
Anyone know someone who is on the committee that might help out with this problem
Probably a bit too late for this year since arrangements have likely already been made. Committee members should be visible on the 4th of July at the various events and at the tag sales if you want to lobby for a change next year.
A giant +1000 to each and every post and thank you for starting this thread!
https://www.facebook.com/BoycottZerbiniFamilyCircus
every time i see a slave elephant at a circus a little piece of me dies inside
----
http://www.manhassetpress.com/cruel-to-animals/
On Thursday, Oct. 2, the Manhasset Rotary Club sponsored the Zerbini Family Circus at Memorial Field. I appreciate so much the efforts by community members to plan and create charitable events that make Manhasset such a wonderful, family-friendly place to live. However, I was saddened to see a circus that includes animals welcomed here. Behind the flashy circus acts and camel rides, most circus animals, including dogs, elephants, bears, monkeys and cats, live dismal lives full of isolation, intimidation and fear. It is standard practice to train circus animals through beatings, whippings and electric shocks. According to the Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (ASPCA), “Former circus employees have reported seeing animals beaten, whipped and denied food and water, all to force them to learn their routines. Animals are taught that not obeying the trainer will result in physical abuse.” One can simply Google or YouTube “circus animal abuse” and see firsthand the cruelty associated with animal circuses generally.
The Zerbini Family Circus in particular has been repeatedly cited for animal neglect. According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Victoria, British Columbia inspected the Zerbini Circus and noted that the majority of Zerbini’s horses had “lacerations, abrasions or scars from old injuries,” the monkey cages were so small the monkeys could not stand on their hind legs (and so were forced in a crouched position), and that the Zerbini Circus told the inspector that dogs and monkeys were kept in their cages at all times (where they had no access to food or water) unless they were performing. The Zerbini Circus has also repeatedly been cited by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for violations of the minimum guidelines set by the Animal Welfare Act (despite the USDA’s notoriously lax enforcement.) According to PETA, these violations include keeping elephants without adequate space and chained, not having a program of veterinary care in place for its animals, the failure to quarantine elephants texting positive for tuberculosis, the failure to provide an adequate barrier between the elephants and the public, the failure to provide elephants with a wholesome and healthy diet, the failure to dispose of waste in a sanitary manner, and the failure to provide veterinary care to suffering animals in their care. One elephant trainer at the Zerbini Family Circus reported that their elephants had been beaten badly by drunken trainers. This stress and abuse endured by the Zerbini Circus animals has also led to human injuries, including a deadly trampling by an elephant, stomping and biting by elephants, and a biting of a 2 year-old child by a bear.
There are so many excellent and cruelty-free alternatives to animal circuses that I hope the Rotary Club will consider for next year which feature human-only talent and incorporate trapeze, clowns, acrobatics, juggling, contortion, magic, dance, aerial work, vaudeville, comedy and cabaret. It would be a shame to continue to support the Zerbini Family Circus, an operation with a history of cruelty to and neglect of the very animals that support its business.
Dana L. Cavallaro Dignam
Completely agree. My heart breaks for the animals every time I see this. It's antiquated thinking that supports this. It's time it ends.
Maybe we can contact the committee? They have a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/July-4th-Committee-of-the-Maplewood-Civic-Association/265385803568168?fref=ts
They don't seem to have an e-mail address on their web-site, but say for info or to volunteer to call "Tom" http://www.maple4th.com
Maybe we could contact the Mayor? Online petition?
What is the best way to do this?
Even when my kids were very young they'd focus on the animals- "aren't they hot?" That whole tent scene is sickening in so many ways. It keeps us away from the whole thing...we just go to the pool or something. I agree, a non-pet circus would be the right thing--if too late for this year, perhaps we have the current circus make it a petting/feeding/supplying water zoo 
I don't know if I have anything intelligent to add here, but wanted to say that I completely agree. It's an archaic and abusive practice, and it's hard to believe that it still is in existence in this day and age when there is so much public awareness and such an outcry about animal cruelty. Animal Circuses should be banned in the USA, but it's a hard nut to crack. How did the laws get passed in other countries?
Meanwhile, Maplewood and the 4th of July committee may say it's too late to stop the circus this year, but they should know that every time that they contract with an animal circus, they are condoning and promoting animal abuse. Not a great boost for public relations, and it's costing them! So, please...cease and desist with the 'tradition' of hiring an animal circus.
joan_crystal said:
For those who do not want to attend the circus but would like to attend the other events being held on July 4, there is now a reduced price tag ($10 per person as opposed to $15 per person for the tag covering all events) which is available in advance or at Memorial Park on the 4th of July.
Seems this may help the decision process next year if the numbers show that the circus upsell is not material. If the community markets the reduced price (no support to circus) then this may be the last year !!!
Yea to the committee ofr offering choice !!
new207040 said:
joan_crystal said:Seems this may help the decision process next year if the numbers show that the circus upsell is not material. If the community markets the reduced price (no support to circus) then this may be the last year !!!
For those who do not want to attend the circus but would like to attend the other events being held on July 4, there is now a reduced price tag ($10 per person as opposed to $15 per person for the tag covering all events) which is available in advance or at Memorial Park on the 4th of July.
Yea to the committee ofr offering choice !!
+1
The best way for a collective "voice" to be heard is by low attendance. So, spread the word to friends and neighbors about skipping the circus this year. If the event does not make money then I am sure that other options will be explored for future years!
Does anyone have any specific alternatives they can suggest? It would go a long way towards initiating the change.
There are two $10 tag options. The tag labeled "Fireworks" excludes the circus. The tag labeled "Circus" excludes the fireworks. Be sure you are purchasing the right tag if you want to make a policy statement. I would also urge persons opposed to the circus (or the fireworks for that matter) to speak directly with a Committee member and to offer suggestions for what could replace the activity you would want to see eliminated.
Having lived in Maplewood all my life I remember when the circus was not under a tent. It was in the open field and we sat on bleachers. Some people wore straw hat for sun protection and as a child I enjoyed it. I always thought the animals, especially the elephants loved to perform. Hated the tent atmosphere.
So every year I don't buy a ticket to the circus....hoping my boycott will "help". The circus keeps returning so I want to be more vocal about my disapproval.
After reading this thread, I contacted a member of the 4th of July Committee who sent the following reply and authorized me to post it this person's behalf. To the best of my knowledge, none of the current 4th of July Committee members is active on MOL.
"I don't disparage the kindly intentions of those opposed to animal acts. Although we can't change this year, people are free to vote with their pocketbooks and shun the circus. The circus is paid a lump sum and will not suffer a loss but low attendance will register the sentiment and that could shape plans for the future. My research tells me that the worst offenses cited actually belong to a different circus also named Zerbini (it's a big and old family). And given that the dogs (mostly rescues), camels and ponies (NO elephants) spend a good part of the year living in Florida, we shouldn't anthropomorphize their getting too hot. Nevertheless, we will have to find ways to gauge public opinion (beyond the handful on MOL) and fairly reflect community sentiment about needs change and what to encourage. A step might be to write to the July 4 Committee, MCA, PO Box 3, Maplewood."
That statement means nothing. These animals are still forced to work like slaves. They don't deserve to be put on display for your entertainment and the Carnie's profit. Boycott this nonsense.
Joan-- What part of the circus revenues helps offset the rest of the day's activities? Any idea? Can it even be determined
I agree that the circus is out of character for our town. Never went as my kids heard about the heat and "sad animals" and never wanted to.
Is the treatment of these animals subject to no oversight; be it State, County or local?
TomR
ctrzaska: Please bear in mind that I am not now nor have I ever been a member of the 4th of July Committee. Thus, my reply to you is purely an educated guess.
From what I have observed, the revenue taken in from tag sales and sale of merchandise all goes into the same pot and and that pot is used to pay all expenses associated with running the event. That is to say, circus only tags are not earmarked for the circus, fireworks only tags are not earmarked for the fireworks, etc. It is my understanding from discussions I have had with Committee members in prior years that the circus costs the Committee relatively little given the overall budget for the 4th of July. I've been told that most of the circus' profit comes from the items the circus sells, what the circus charges for their rides in years when they offer rides, etc. and that the circus keeps all money they collect from these goods and services. I would assume this is still the case but do not know for certain.
So the circus won't be replaced / changed unless we raise our voices collectively. Rides and non-animal performers would be awesome. Also I don't think how hot the tents are is subjective. 95+ degrees is hot in Florida too.
Please consider NOT supporting the Maplewood Fourth of July Circus. Every year I hear people's comments about how hot the tent is. Can you imagine being an animal forced to do three shows in that tent and then get tied up outside afterwards as fireworks are launched near you? It makes me sad / angry every year. I hope in the future the 4th of July Committee of the Maplewood Civic Association will consider having a non animal circus. There should be a circus with humans only that get paid money for their work and can choose to quit if they don't like it. (Also includes camel / pony rides too!!!)
"Unlike the human entertainers, animals do not choose the circus life; they are kept in captivity and forced to take part in the show. Circuses that use animals are aggressively promoted by the circus industry as safe, fun, wholesome family entertainment. This couldn't be farther from the truth. After the circus industry's glitter and glamour has settled, the animals remain involuntary participants in a degrading spectacle, performing not because they want to, but because they are forced to."