Coalition for Circus Animal Freedom

The Wrap Up! We apologize that this comes almost a month late....

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 20:10:36 -0400

The Wrap Up!

We apologize that this comes almost a month late. The day the Shrine Circus left Ontario - August 15th - just also happened to be the day that ex-employee allegations finally broke in the Toronto Star against Marineland - the marine park in Niagara Falls, On. Many members of our organizing team were also part of the organizing team of Marineland Animal Defense - a grassroots pressure campaign against Marineland and John Holer - and those who were not were quickly recruited. We were flooded. All of our social media sites/personal pages/emails were impossible to keep up with and in the meantime we managed to also organize two demonstrations - one with over 500 people and another around 300 folks. We haven’t had much time to update this site, the CCAF page, or provide any kind of wrap up. We hope you will accept our apology!

When this idea was first presented it was presented as a way to both apply and increase pressure against TZ Productions and the Shrine Circus, but it also had the duel purpose of (re)building a grassroots network in Ontario capable of confront all forms of animal (ab)use - whether it be traveling circuses and rodeos, specific zoo/marine park sites, slaughter houses, etc. The foundation is not complex - together we are strong. When we are sharing our resources, when we are meeting face to face, when we are helping each other and moving forward together we are all stronger than we would be individually, or in isolation in our communities, towns, regions. We illustrated this all summer as people travelled across the province supporting other towns, bringing new tactics, refining old ones, showing solidarity and protecting each other. Record demonstrations were seen in numerous towns and by the time the Circus left Ontario they faced demonstrations in 20 of the 22 towns they travelled to. Larry Solheim, General Manager of TZ Productions, was forced to admit in the media that this year we were more co ordinated, more organized and more aggressive. This was done with a hub budget of under $500 - no paid staff - and no experts or professionals, just people power. The power and strength of people in each town organizing in a coordinated fashion with everyone else. This was year one and our first meeting happened just 6 weeks before they hit the Province. If the Shrine Circus returns next year - they can expect an even greater and more coordinated resistance.

As to rebuilding grassroots networks - we think one measure of success has already been seen with the shift to Marineland. Almost the entire CCAF organizing hub is now actively working on this campaign - people from all over. Aside from this, at our last two demonstrations CCAF organizers from Kingston, Ottawa, London, GTA, Orangeville, Barrie and Hamilton have been in attendance. It is their contributions - organizing rides and promoting the demonstrations - that have pushed the demonstration numbers at Marineland well passed previous records. Together we are strong.

For everyone who gave up a weekend (or more), called in sick, offered a spot in their car, made it out to a demo, or supported the campaign - we appreciate everything you did to make this summer a successful one. Let’s all stay in touch and keep building this foundation!

Photoset from the Kingston Shrine Circus Demonstration. Over 200...

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 21:09:44 -0400

Photoset from the Kingston Shrine Circus Demonstration. Over 200 people, this demonstration was the largest of the summer and possibly one of the largest Shrine Circus demonstrations in Canadian history. Thank you to the organizers with Kingston Animal Trust!

*If you feel like we missed any crucial photos from the demo let us know!

Press Release: TZ Productions General Manager Larry Solheim...

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 16:44:47 -0400

Press Release: TZ Productions General Manager Larry Solheim Assaults Demonstrator and Attempts to Destroy Property - Ottawa - August 9 2012

Video has been released Larry Solheim, General Manager of TZ Productions, assaulting and attempting to destroy the property of a demonstrator in Ottawa. This video was recorded earlier today, as an activist was filming TZ Productions elephants Marie and Shcell, two wild caught Asian Elephants who have spent decades traversing North America performing for TZ Productions (Zerbini Circus/Shrine Circus). Certainly not the first instance of a TZ Productions staff assaulting a demonstrator, this is not even the first of the summer. Back in July TZ Productions Electrical Designer and Engineer Rik Kubiak assaulted a demonstrator (video here) and has since been charged and removed from the Circus tour.

These have only been the instances caught on film and don’t represent the full spectrum of force used by Shriners, as well as, TZ Productions staff this summer. This latest assault is a perfect example of the lies and manipulation that the Shrine Circus is built upon. In recent weeks Larry Solheim has taken to the press to complain about how “aggressive” demonstrators are this year when there have been absolutely no allegations or charges of assault against demonstrators. CCAF Spokesperson Dylan Powell had this to say about the video, “The video represents what TZ Productions and the Shrine Circus is really all about. A demonstrator is merely filming animals to document their housing and behavior and Larry uses the threat of trespass and then immediate force in order to stop it. This is the truth they do not want you to see. Larry will say this circus is unlike other circuses, and that demonstrators are the aggressors, but this video exposes those lies.” If you would like to speak to the Coalition for Circus Animal Freedom about this incident please contact ccanimalfreedom@gmail.com

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BREAKING: TZ Productions General Manager Larry Solheim assaults...

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 15:48:22 -0400

BREAKING: TZ Productions General Manager Larry Solheim assaults demonstrator in Ottawa and attempts to destroy property (camera).

"Protesters Target Shrine Circus" (The Whig - Kingston)

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 14:59:36 -0400

"Protesters Target Shrine Circus" (The Whig - Kingston):

“Ahead of the protest Deodato, founder of Kingston Animal Trust, projected the demonstration would bring out over 200 people, which would make it the largest circus protest ever in Canada.”

londcommunitynews: Circus draws controversy Photos by Mike...

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 14:54:06 -0400

londcommunitynews:

Circus draws controversy

Photos by Mike Maloney/London Community News/Twitter:@mdmaloneyphoto

The 2012 edition of the Shrine Circus rolled into town for its traditional annual stop in London at the Western Fair District on Wednesday (June 27).

For many, it was an opportunity for to get out for an evening of family entertainment under the big top in support of the work done by Shriners in communities across the country.

http://www.londoncommunitynews.com/2012/06/shrine-circus-draws-controversy/

The Vegan Police Podcast #49

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 14:33:10 -0400

The Vegan Police Podcast #49 :

weeptowaterthetrees:

Green Hill / Unrest / ACAB / Shallow Breath / Propagandhi / Coalition for Circus Animal Freedom / Shout Outs / Sparrow Media / Conflict Gypsy / Marineland Animal Defense / Niagara ADL / Prisoner & Legal Support / Open the Cages Tour

LISTEN HERE

FIRST PODCAST IN A YEAR AND A HALF!

Markham Demo Photos - August 6 2012.

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 21:34:03 -0400

Markham Demo Photos - August 6 2012.

Circus Protestors Bring Fight to Vaughn (York Region)

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 00:33:12 -0400

Circus Protestors Bring Fight to Vaughn (York Region) :

“Simply put, it’s sick,” said Ms D’Alessandro. “It’s not natural for them to be doing many of the things they are made to do during the show, like standing on their hind legs or putting their paws up. For me, it’s the entertainment concept of it. If children saw how these animals were trained they would not want to see this show. People all over the world enjoy the Cirque De Soleil and they don’t have to have animals to do it.”

Video from Niagara Falls Shrine Circus. This is behind the...

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 11:30:22 -0400

Video from Niagara Falls Shrine Circus. This is behind the scenes where Marie and Schell were kept. They are standing in their own feces and urine and swaying. This is why we fight.

"Oshawa Shrine Circus Draw Families, Protesters" (Durham Region)

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 10:30:08 -0400

"Oshawa Shrine Circus Draw Families, Protesters" (Durham Region):

“It’s synonymous with Shrine, circus and Shrine is like bacon and eggs,” said Bob McGregor, recorder for the Ramses Shrine Temple in Toronto, which includes the Oshawa and District Shrine Club as a member. He explained that Shriners conduct dedicated fundraisers throughout the year for children’s hospitals, but the circus is a fraternal fundraiser to cover the expenses for the organization.”

animalresistance: An elephant trying to escape from a circus in...

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 00:15:43 -0400

animalresistance:

An elephant trying to escape from a circus in Ireland.

Shrine Circus Demonstration - Niagara Falls - Tuesday!

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 00:08:07 -0400

Shrine Circus Demonstration - Niagara Falls - Tuesday!

'Animals part of the 99%' say Occupy Kingston (The Whig)

Sat, 14 Jul 2012 15:56:37 -0400

'Animals part of the 99%' say Occupy Kingston (The Whig) :

“No being should suffer for another being’s entertainment and that’s exactly what this is,” he said. “It’s cruel punishment for the purposes of capitalist entertainment.”

This train of thought has allowed for the emergence of the Kingston Animal Rights Affinity under the auspices of Occupy Kingston.

“The reason why we are doing this is because the animals are part of the 99%, just like most of the humans on the planet. People tend to forget that humans are animals,” he said.

Shrine Circus Awes and Woes (Windsor This Week)

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 15:15:05 -0400

Shrine Circus Awes and Woes (Windsor This Week) :

Over 50 protesters hit the streets in front of the WFCU Centre, holding signs and chanting to draw awareness for animal cruelty.

“We are protesting the Shrine Circus in Windsor,” said Ashley Vallance, a real estate agent from Vision Realty. “We’re hoping we can get enough voices to be heard and hopefully next year we can keep the Shrine Circus from coming back.”

WALL OF SHAME #1 - RIK KUBIAK Previous to this years campaign...

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 15:07:00 -0400

WALL OF SHAME #1 - RIK KUBIAK

Previous to this years campaign Rik Kubiak would have been an unlikely candidate for the first entry into our wall of shame. However, as a result of his actions and behavior during the two weekend stay in Etobicoke, Rik Kubiak quickly catapulted himself up the ladder of Shriner shame. Our first interactions with Rik came on Saturday June 30th, 2012 as Rik alleged that demonstrators were trespassing on Woodbine Centre property. This claim would be repeated over the course of two weekends, and eventually end in police officers, on Friday July 6th, instructing Shriners/TZ Productions and Mall Security to leave demonstrators alone as they engaged in a legal, peaceful demonstration. Rik was aware of this command.

When police left on July 6th Rik ignored this request and approached demonstrators taunting them and claiming that they are all “paid” to demonstrate. On July 7th, he followed this up by again confronting demonstrators - repeating “Hey Assholes” as he approached demonstrators at which point he assaulted a demonstrator by grabbing a megaphone and shoving it in their face. After being asked by mall security to leave, Kubiak left, only to utter threats as he walked away, “If that’s what you call assault I will show you assault.” All of this was caught on camera and can be seen here.

Kubiak is retired from the Peel District School board and is currently President of the Bramalea Hillybilly Shrine Club, Chairman/Director of the Rameses Shriners and hired Electrical Designer and Engineer of the Shrine Circus. Rik is a major player in this Circus and a retired educator. He now faces assault charges as a result of the demonstration. We hope his actions, and their consequences, will send a message to all Shrine Circus/TZ Productions staff - YOU WILL NOT GET AWAY WITH WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

Rik can be reached at rik.kubiak@rogers.com

71 Princeton Terrace

Bramalea, On

L6S 3S5

And can be found here on facebook.

STATEMENT

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 00:17:07 -0400

There has been some discussion recently regarding the Coalition for Circus Animal Freedom (CCAF) and it’s position on animal use. Although we have stated that we reject all animal use in interviews we have done this summer, we have lacked a full public statement. To be clear, all of the organizing hub for the CCAF are ethical vegans and the CCAF is founded on a rejection of all animal use for human gain. We will offer support to anyone who asks, however, we hope that advocates in each town respect this and are following, or moving towards, this same path.

Thank you,
CCAF

BRAMPTON SHRINE CIRCUS DEMONSTRATION - July 13th - July 22nd

Sun, 08 Jul 2012 19:47:40 -0400

BRAMPTON SHRINE CIRCUS DEMONSTRATION - July 13th - July 22nd :

RSVP/SHARE/INVITE!

Video of the assault of a demonstrator today in Etobicoke by a...

Sun, 08 Jul 2012 00:23:26 -0400

Video of the assault of a demonstrator today in Etobicoke by a Shriner. Share and shame!

Demonstrator Assaulted Today in Etobicoke by Shriner

Sun, 08 Jul 2012 00:05:00 -0400

Demonstrator Assaulted Today in Etobicoke by Shriner:

CLICK THROUGH FOR VIDEO! SHARE WIDELY!