If you walked through the intersection of Trade and Tryon streets in uptown Charlotte during your lunch break today, you may have heard the booming voice of the “Jesus Saves” guy and thought it was just like any other day. But if you glanced at the eastern corner of the intersection in front of the Bank of America Corporate Center, you saw something way out of the ordinary: a nearly nude women painted up to look like a tiger.
The woman was a volunteer with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and was in town to protest the opening night of the UniverSoul Circus, a touring circus that will be in town through May 20. A press release from PETA noted that UniverSoul leases the tigers it uses in its shows from Mitchel Kalmanson, who has been cited by the federal government for failing to provide animals with basic veterinary care, depriving them of the opportunity to exercise, and confining them to foul-smelling, maggot-infested trucks.
Paraison said the pair began the painting process at 8 a.m. this morning and didn’t finish until nearly 11 a.m. They took to the busy intersection at noon, at which time Lee handed out literature to curious passersby while Paraison stood holding a sign that read, “Animals Suffer at UniverSoul Circus.”
Lee said she wants to make people aware that animal cruelty in the circus is still happening, despite the fact that Ringling Bros. shut down their “Greatest Show on Earth” last May.
“A lot of people focused on Ringling Bros., and once Ringling Bros. shut down, they think that animals aren’t still being abused in the circus,” Lee said. “UniverSoul has a lengthy record of animal abuse, and we’re hoping that UniverSoul ends its animal acts but continues the show, unlike Ringling Bros., which shut down.”
This article appears in May 2-8, 2018.
It was, and I hope people were paying attention. UniverSoul has been using and abusing animals for 25 years. Until it gets with the times and features only willing human performers, people who care about animals will keep their distance.
UniverSoul is a prison for animals. They are forced to perform day after day and are treated terribly when they’re “off-duty.” It’s time all circuses freed their animals to sanctuaries and used only human acts from here on out. No one wants to see animals abused; I know I certainly won’t be buying a ticket.
Props to this protester for raising awareness about how vicious UniverSoul is to animals. I only buy tickets to attractions with WILLING human performers because I am completely against cruelty to animals. And yes, I am vegan and do not wear wool, leather, down, silk, or fur.
UniverSoul needs to wake up: People know that animals don’t perform tricks because they want to, they do it because they know they’ll be beaten if they don’t. It’s time to leave animals in peace, and let talented humans who want to perform (and get paid to do it!) have the spotlight.
Bravo, Samantha! It’s baffling: UniverSoul Circus has fabulous human performers … it could easily axe the cruel animal acts.
Good for her! Circuses teach kids that its acceptable to keep animals in highly unnatural environments and make them to do tricks for our amusement Whips, electric prods, and bullhooks should serve as reminders that the animals arent there because they want to be, but because theyre scared not to be. Animals dont choose to stand on their heads or prance around on their hind legs in silly costumes. Circus trainers use these weapons to force animals to perform frightening, dangerous, and demeaning tricks that they cannot comprehend.