Yay Northeastern Univ!! Boycott the circus!
Circus dropped over treatment of animals
By L. Finch
Globe Correspondent / July 14, 2010
Northeastern University will no longer invite the UniverSoul Circus to perform on campus, breaking with a two-year tradition amid questions about the organization’s treatment of animals, college representatives said.
The university made the decision after receiving several complaints, including a letter from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, about the welfare of the circus’ animals, said Renata Nyul, a spokeswoman for Northeastern.
“We researched the issue and we were not happy with what we found,’’ Nyul said. “So we made the decision to not host the circus.’’
The Atlanta-based circus concluded a 13-day performance on Northeastern’s campus Saturday. The circus had last performed at the university in 2008.
PETA contacted Northeastern after it had received phone calls from local residents who had seen the circus set up in one of the university’s parking lots, said Lisa Wathne, a spokeswoman for PETA. Residents could see UniverSoul’s tigers in their travel cages and feared for the animals’ well-being in the heat, she said.
UniverSoul executive vice president Jackie Davis said she wasn’t aware of Northeastern’s decision. The circus passed all animal regulatory inspections while in Boston, she said.
“We do not abuse animals nor do we support anyone that would abuse animals . . .’’ Davis said. “We take great pride in the way we treat our animals. I have no idea of why someone would make that accusation,’’ Davis said.
UniverSoul is not licensed under the US Department of Agriculture and does not own any of its animals, said David Sacks, a spokesman for the agency. In the past, the USDA has cited some of the companies from which the circus leases its animals for various infractions, but none have been cited recently, he said.
In 2003, the USDA investigated the owner of a pair of kangaroos employed by UniverSoul in a slapstick boxing act after two of the animals died within a few months of each other from alleged maltreatment, according to the agency. UniverSoul no longer works with the man, Sacks said. In 2002, PETA released undercover video of an elephant trainer contracted by UniverSoul beating his animals with bull hooks and electric prods.
UniverSoul has also lost sponsorships in the past with Burger King, Ford Motor Co., and General Mills amid concerns about the welfare of its show animals, PETA said.
Please find a way to come out and help the elephants WITH ME TONIGHT at Staple Center, 630pm!
Visit RinglingBeatsAnimals.com
What: Opening-night demonstration against Ringling’s cruelty
When: Wednesday, July 14th at 6:30 PM
Where: Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles (Please meet at the north corner of S. Figueroa and W. 12th streets. Click HERE to see MAP.)
Can’t make it to the demonstration but want to help? Please consider writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper or share the videos with your friends and family and join me in boycotting circuses that abuse animals.
So this artical is NOT about Ringling & Barnum and Bailey Circus… why are you making them out badly based on THIS artical? Where is your proof they have abused?
I believe in animal rights and all, but I still dislike PETA. They think the best way to spread their message is to show vulgar ads on TV and to terrorize children by giving them bloody Happy Meals. And all the “stars” who think they’re being noble by helping PETA is just justifying those actions. Before anyone flames me, I repeat: I BELIEVE IN ANIMAL RIGHTS. Anyone who abuses animals just because the animals can’t do anything back is messed up.
Thanks for doing this Olivia, but there are much better causes out there, ya know? Would you rather protest the abuse of a few elephants, or protest the abuse of HUMAN BEINGS in Africa and Asia?
Humans ought to learn to enjoy life without other living beings suffering.
I think there is no sane mind that enjoys others suffering and torture. Torture must be condemned by nice cultures.
Thanks for being like you are Olivia.
its awesome to see you campaigning for this
I’m still not sure how this practice is legal. Zoos have increasingly been releasing their large nomads to reserves (Philly Zoo just got rid of their elephants) voluntarily, and they weren’t known to treat them horribly. The fact that people are fine with these animals being tortured until they go crazy is despicable. How does this constitute entertainment? I have been a big fan since you started on AOTS and am really glad that you are taking part in exposing the horrible treatment of these animals. I have a ton of respect for you for taking action, keep it up. You are bringing this to a totally different group of people, hopefully it will work.
Hey i go to Northeastern! Come visit here, we love you and hate circuses!
Hey Munn,
just wanted to let you know you’ve got
some jock fans too.
Like your old “beyond the break stuff”
Would love to see you in that old high school cheerleaders outfit.
Stay hot babe.
P.S. No pie is safe around me
The one time I went to a circus featuring performing animals, it really made me feel uncomfortable. I know it’s supposed to be such a classic circus thing, but animals performing tricks for our amusement? I really feel people’s humor has… um… evolved beyond this, for the most part. It’s just kind of sad now.
On the other hand, while I support PETA’s overall message, it’s often lost in their rabid, hyperbolic, and sometimes literally insane delivery. They’re good at generating heat, but not a lot of light. Maybe that’s what they try to do, I don’t know. Still, congrats on shutting down a creepy circus.
hey guess what.. i cared about animal rights before it was cool.. and before i became famous
that’ll be the name of my book in 5 years.
Wow I can’t believe some of the comments especially the one about not believing in animal rights…… Don’t support circuses that include animals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!- merely having the animals in the circus and forcing them to act for human entertainment and not be in their natural habitats is abuse!! Circuses don’t even have the means to care for exotic animals. You can’t tell me that any circus has trained animal nutritionists standing by testing the tigers’ food for protein content at every meal in a laboratory to make sure that it’s adequate for them.
Zoos however usually treat animals wonderfully, and use their profits to support research and protect endangered species. If you want to see cool animals go to the zoo (much less expensive anyways) and use the money you save to donate to the zoo or PETA.
You can’t say that a circus doesn’t abuse animals just because you never saw it with your own eyes. The parents of abusive children don’t beat their kids in public. Animal abuse is usually well concealed but it exists even if the circus acted peachy around you. -.-
..also while in l.a., I caught the 10 pm showing of ‘ knight and day’ ..I liked it, good movie.
I was there yesterday and it was great turnout.some people who had tickets for the show ended up leaving.its good to know that we do make a difference for some people.and thats a good start.and olivia,thank you for taking the time to talk to me.you are such a great person.
You’re making a Difference Olivia =).
Go to circuses that don’t feature animals. Is Cirque Du Soleil a people-only circus?
I was a lil kid and i loved the circus but if i knew this was going on i wouldve wanted to stop it OLVIA MAKE THEM END THIS!-Chris of ‘92
I was there, asking to hold a sign to stop the abuse to elephants, but for all animals, yet the sun batter the event, then the male scent(for $10) started to mix a bit with the sweat and I was trying to air out before Olivia Ms Munn surprised us, real OMFG, and as soon as she asked, whats your name? I simply replied, ” My name is Legion.”
The circle Ms Munn’s peeps, surrounded her with support while she stood her grounds on the front lines,passing leaflets, and moving around and the horns were magical..I saw you Cara and eber, you can’T hide..it was an awesome protest for the elephants, very peaceful.
and the police?,shit, they all gathered (bout 6 of’em) and I thought I was in Arizona for a moment there, and though the police tried to knock us off, we stayed together.
and held our ground.
**
Olivia, I love that you are doing this. It is a worthy cause and it shows what a great heart you have. Girls with big hearts are the most beautiful of all (not that you needed any MORE help in that department). I’m with you 100% !!
Harry and Maggie work on things called conscious, empathy and decency.
as an Alabama Crimson Tide fan, I feel that anybody fcuking with elephants needs a good @$$ kicking…
As far as animal rights go…if I caught someone hurting one of my little pugs I would shoot them. I eat meat, and wear leather, but animals shouldn’t be hurt for entertainment.
have a good day!
Ok, you seriously need to stay away from PETA! They are evil! They kill more animals than they save and they are run by wackjobs! Also, not all circuses are abusive and to say as such is a horrible lie. I’ve volunteered and have even known people in the circus business. To condem them all is foolish. Do you have any proof that this circus you are boycotting is abusing the animals? Is the video above from this branch?
Dude, come on.
Really? Boycott the circus? Grow up, stop being such an spoiled little girl. I’m taking my nieces to the circus again, just like I do every year. And I support the local zoo as well, I do not believe in animal rights. To me anyone who wastes their time trying to ‘fight’ for animal rights has too much free time and doesn’t have much in the way of original thought processes. I knew the minute I saw the naked PETA ad that you had jumped the shark. So long Olivia, and thanks for all the fish.
Wow. Kinda stunned by your dumb a$$ comment. You don’t believe in animal rights? seriously? Fighting for animal rights, or anything you care about for that matter, is a waste of time? Seriously? The bigger waste of time is actually going to the circus. Who the hell goes to the circus anymore? I got news for you bub: You are your nieces least favorite uncle. When you come over they’re probably like sh!t, “Uncle Harry’s here. Hope he doesn’t take us to the circus AGAIN”. Its people like you who make this world such a sh!tty place. Just put yourself in those elephants place in that video. would you like being beaten? I hope to god that your just sum bored as hell troll who felt like being controversial. grow up man, seriously. Same goes for Maggie. You guys are just sick.
You’re an idiot. I guess living creatures should be caged for decades (Elephants live that long if they actually keep them alive) and beaten/abused. You should be the one in that cage, not those elephants and forced to perform stupid tricks.
I honestly doubt Olivia’s legitimacy with this movement, but for now I’m supporting it and her. It’s a good cause, and shows just how stupid people like you are.
IM WITH YOU ON THIS ONE OLIVIA.I ALREADY SENT A LETTER TO THE L.A TIMES.I REALLY HOPE THEY BOYCOTT THOSE FOOOS
who goes to the circus anyway
What the hell is a two-year tradition?
Isn’t that an oxymoron?
This is what needs to happen. The stadiums and lots and schools who take money so these animals can be abused need to start feeling a little remorse about getting fat pockets while animals are abused.
That’s pretty f’ed up. I’d like for those elephants to be set free for a only 10 minutes. While those guys ran away, no bullhooks. Just nature at it’s finest. Just like on national geographic.
Good job NEU! Good treatment is spreading
OK, so I won’t go to Ringling Bros. or the UniverSoul circuses. Can I still go to Circus Circus in Vegas?