Stars Say Let Us Do The Entertaining As Wild Animal Circus Bill Is Introduced To Congress
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More than a dozen celebrities from the entertainment industry, Ed Asner; Danny Boyle; Brian Blessed; James Cromwell; Jorja Fox; Tonya Kay; Kim Matula; Moby; Eric Roberts; Mindy Sterling; Eric Szmanda; Alexandra Paul; Diane Warren appear in a new video to support a new federal bill to end the use of wild animals in traveling circuses.
Tomorrow, Representatives Ryan Costello (R-PA) and Raul Grijalva (DA-AZ) will introduce the Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act (TEAPSPA) to Congress. If passed, the bill will end the use of wild and exotic animals in traveling shows in the US.
CSI stars Jorja Fox (‘Sara Sidle’) and Eric Szmanda (‘Greg Sanders’), feature in the new video and will be speaking at a press conference alongside Representatives Costello and Grijalva, former Congressman Jim Moran and ADI President Jan Creamer:
When: PRESS CONFERENCE: Tuesday, March 28th at 1.30pm.
Where: 421 Cannon House Office Building
The new online video, ‘The Reluctant Entertainers’, carries a simple message “Leave the entertaining to the people who want to perform, they have a choice.”
See The Reluctant Entertainers here: https://youtu.be/CnZ14krFTag
Representative Costello said, “Traveling circuses have raised concerns about the treatment and well-being of wild and exotic animals, such as their ability to move and socialize. The Traveling Exotic Animal & Public Safety Protection Act will protect these animals from activities that are detrimental to their health. The residents of Pennsylvania’s Sixth Congressional District are strong supporters of animal welfare and I’m proud to introduce this bill with Rep. Grijalva.”
Representative Grijalva: “The captivity of exotic animals has proven over the years to be torturous to some of the most majestic creatures on Earth, and downright dangerous for the people who come to see them.”
ADI President Jan Creamer said “It’s clear that the future of circus entertainment is human acts. Circuses that use animal acts are killing the industry. A large US circus has closed because it could not move with the times and clung to increasingly unpopular wild animal acts as its audiences declined. Leaving entertainment to those who choose to perform is the way forward.”
Legendary TV host of The Price Is Right and philanthropist, Bob Barker said: “Americans are becoming increasingly aware that circus animals suffer from violent training techniques and severe confinement. Circuses belong in the past."
CSI actress Jorja Fox, known to 73 million viewers as CSI’s Sara Sidle, said: “Congress has a responsibility to protect the welfare of animals and ensure public safety. A prohibition on the use of exotic and wild animals in traveling circuses is proportionate, responsible, the least expensive solution to this problem, and long overdue.
Actor Eric Szmanda, known worldwide as CSI’s Greg Sanders, said: “In this day and age we should not be forcing elephants, lions, bears, tigers or any animal for that matter, to suffer in the name of entertainment. The US needs to join more than 30 other countries that have banned the use of exotic animals in the circus. That’s why I’m supporting the introduction of TEAPSPA.”
ADI’s worldwide studies have shown a consistent pattern of confinement, deprivation and physical abuse in animal circuses. These stressed wild animals also represent a threat to public safety. Escaped animals have maimed and killed workers and members of the public, including children, and animals escaping from temporary facilities in city centers or onto busy roads present hazards.
Across 27 states in the US, 71 jurisdictions have already banned or restricted the use of wild animals in traveling shows, often citing animal welfare and public safety concerns.
Thirty-four countries have national prohibitions on wild animals in circuses. ADI recently completed operations with the wildlife departments of Peru and Bolivia to enforce bans on animals in circuses. The missions, confiscating and relocating almost 200 circus animals enjoyed huge public support.
For more information about TEAPSPA, the bill that would secure a national US ban on traveling wild animal acts: http://www.federalcircusbill.org
The Reluctant Entertainers features:
Ed Asner, Emmy Award winning actor; former President of the Screen Actors Guild.
Danny Boyle, Academy Award, Golden Globe and BAFTA winning director of Slumdog Millionaire.
Brian Blessed, renowned British film, stage and TV actor; Flash Gordon
James Cromwell, Emmy Award winner and Academy Award nominee, actor and producer
Jorja Fox, Screen Actors Guild Award winner, actress and producer, known for Sara Sidle in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Tonya Kay, actress, TV personality and dancer
Kim Matula, Emmy Award nominated actress, known for The Bold and the Beautiful
Moby, Award-winning and Grammy nominated musician, songwriter
Eric Roberts, Academy Award and Golden Globe nominated film and TV actor
Mindy Sterling, Award winning film and television actress and director, known for role in Austin Powers
Eric Szmanda, Screen Actors Guild Award winner, known worldwide for Greg Sanders on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Alexandra Paul, actress, producer; known for Lt. Stephanie Holden in TV series Baywatch
Diane Warren, Grammy, Emmy and Golden Globe award winner; Songwriter’s Hall of Fame; Academy Award nominated; writer of nine number 1 songs
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