Tyler, United States - October 19, 2024

In a bold display of advocacy for animal rights, PETA protesters disrupted the serene atmosphere of the Texas Rose Festival Rose Parade on October 19th, targeting the Sharon Shriners for their involvement with animal circuses. At the bustling intersection of Fair Park Drive and W. Front Street, amidst the festive parade, the protesters unfurled a stark banner reading, “Sharon Shriners: There’s Nothing Rosy About Abusive Animal Circuses!”

The demonstration was a direct call to the Sharon Shrine Circus to cease their use of animals in performances, highlighting the harsh realities faced by circus animals like elephants, who are often kept in cramped conditions and subjected to brutal training methods. PETA's focus was on the partnership between the Sharon Shriners and Carson & Barnes Circus, notorious for over 100 violations of the Animal Welfare Act and documented instances of elephant abuse.

Tracy Reiman, PETA Executive Vice President, passionately argued, “Wild animals deserve to enjoy free, rich lives, not to be chained, beaten, and forced to perform stupid tricks at the Shriners’ bidding.” Reiman's statement was a plea for change, urging the Sharon Shrine to follow the lead of other Shriners like Hadi, Moolah, and Yaarab, who have already abandoned animal acts due to ethical concerns.

The protest not only challenged the Sharon Shrine Circus's practices but also questioned the ethics of supporting such events under the guise of charity. Reiman clarified, "Ticket sales aren’t charitable donations: The profits are generally used to maintain the club’s premises and fund its activities."