http://www.wgvu.org/wgvunews/?id=sdetail&sty=29419 (full audio file available to listen online or to download)
Grand Rapids Group seeks circus ban
Hilary Farrell
November 19, 2014 | WGVU Desire for an ordinance banning traveling animal and circus acts is gathering visibility in Grand Rapids.
It follows letter-writing campaigns, appearances at recent City Commission meetings and protests earlier in the year.
Jon Dunn is one of the End Circus Cruelty in Grand Rapids organizers.
He says it’s not the circus, necessarily – it’s about animal cruelty and exploitation.
He notes Grand Rapids Boat Show alligator wrestling demonstrations as another example.
“And we feel like this, and the traveling cub shows that come through – they’re just not the kind of thing that progressive cities like Grand Rapids should entertain.”
Stephen Payne is the vice president of corporate communications at Feld Entertainment, which owns Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey.
“We’re very proud of our animal care and our elephant conservation programs. And we will do everything we can to talk to city council members, the mayor’s office – and really show them what we do, versus what these activists say we do.”
Dunn says about 200 letters have been sent to local officials in support of a city ban.
They’ve also collected more than 2,000 signatures through an online petition drive.
To initiate an ordinance at the city level, a commissioner would need to bring a proposal forward.
A ballot question could be an option down the line if that’s not received.
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(remaining portion of interview available at http://www.wgvu.org/wgvunews/?id=sdetail&sty=2941)
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