Tyler, TX – Supporters of PETA staged a dramatic protest during the 92nd annual Texas Rose Festival Parade, drawing attention to the mistreatment of elephants and other animals in the Sharon Shrine Circus.

The demonstrators approached the Shriners’ float carrying signs that read, “There’s Nothing Rosy About Abusive Animal Circuses!” They urged the circus to go animal-free. Following the protest, the Hadi, Moolah, and Yaarab shrines all dropped elephant acts. PETA is calling on Shriners International to follow Ringling Bros. and nearly every other circus by ending all animal performances.

In the wild, elephants forage, bathe in rivers, and play with family members. In contrast, those used in Shrine circuses are beaten, whipped, caged, chained, and forced to perform stressful tricks under constant threat of violence. The Sharon Shrine Circus remains one of the few shows still exploiting wild animals and often partners with notoriously cruel exhibitors, including Carson & Barnes Circus, which has faced over 100 federal Animal Welfare Act violations.

“People have no idea that every ticket purchased for the Sharon Shrine Circus supports the abuse of displaced animals who face daily physical threats of violence,” said PETA President Tracy Reiman. “PETA is calling on Sharon Shriners to drop the animal acts from their circus and for everyone to stay away until they do.”

Funds raised by Shrine circuses go to local clubs for operating expenses, not the animals. A former Shriners Children’s Patient Ambassador recently joined PETA in urging Shriners International to ban cruel circuses that exploit animals.

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