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Group to protest circus in Wilmette
Updated: September 27, 2012 9:11AM
WILMETTE — A group of citizens concerned about what they call inhumane treatment of animals is planning to protest the Kelly Miller Circus on Friday.
The circus is scheduled to perform Saturday as a fundraiser for the District 39 Education al Foundation.
In a written release, the protesters announced their intention to demonstrate at 3 p.m. and again at 5:30 p.m. at the education center. They also intend to be in
front of Ramona School on Ramona Road, the back entrance to the circus.
The protesters contend awareness is growing about cruelty to animals during training and transport, as well as public safety issues. The release also notes that Glencoe, Deerfield and Norridge have stopped bringing the circus to town.
“The irony is that this circus raises funds for education and innovation but wild animal circuses are the opposite of that,” said Valerie Chalcraft, is a psychologist who studies animal behavior and attended Wilmette Public Schools. “They teach that bullying endangered species to do silly tricks is fun. Anyone can learn how these animals have been trained with an Internet search of non-industry websites.”
Joan Criswell-Merrilees, who is co-chairman of this year’s circus committee said the 2010 event netted $36,650 – $8,400 of that from the event’s 19 sponsors. This year, the number of community businesses and organizations supporting the event has grown to 30, which already have provided $10,500.
This is the fifth time Kelly Miller has brought its show to the field behind the Mikaelian Education Center, 615 Locust Road. The foundation has hosted the show every second year, most recently in 2010.
“The irony is that this circus raises funds for education and innovation but wild animal circuses are the opposite of that,” said Valerie Chalcraft ,is a psychologist who studies animal behavior and attended Wilmette Public Schools. “They teach that bullying endangered species to do silly tricks is fun. Anyone can learn how these animals have been trained with an Internet search of non-industry websites.”
