Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus protesters through the years
Not everyone who heads to the circus is there for fun and games. In Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's relatively recent history, animal activists including PETA have lined up outside the Big Top holding signs and dispersing information regarding treatment of the circus' elephants, tigers, lions and other animal performers.
Ringling Bros. stopped using Asian elephants in May 2016, and acknowledged the drastic drop in already-declining ticket sales is one reason the traveling troupe will end its 146-year run this year.
Here's a look at some of the circus' protesters through the years. You can submit your photos here. (Captions are submitted by readers who share their photos.)
Credit: Unknown
This photo was taken the year I was born. It's a reminder that compassionate people have been speaking out against the cruelty behind Ringling Bros. for more than 27 years, and that persistence pays off.
Credit: Unknown
From 1989 again, more than 27 years of telling people that Ringling beats animals, and the message wasn't fully received until 2017
Credit: Unknown passerby
Pamela, Monica, and Josh at Ringling Bros. protest in Phoenix Arizona.
Credit: unknown
Holly Marie Combs protesting Ringling Circus
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Children lead Ringling Circus protest
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Kids lead Ringling protest
Credit: unknown
Jillian Michaels Protesting Ringling Circus
Credit: Carrie LeBlanc, Las Vegas
Ringling Bros Protest, Phoenix, 2015
Credit: Carrie LeBlanc, Las Vegas
Las Vegas Ringling Protest
Credit: Kelly Fidler, Chesapeake, VA
Kelly & Kat protesting in Norfolk, Virginia
Credit: Long Island Orchestrating for Na
Long Island Orchestrating for Nature (LION) protests Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus at Nassau Coliseum in Hempstead, NY.
Credit: unknown
Children, some in costume, stand up against the in Los Angeles in 2014.
Credit: unknown
A group of activists in 1990 hold a huge sign explaining why we should never attend the circus.
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Woman walks with the group of protesters holding sign showing elephant forced to perform for the circus. Taken in 1992 in D.C.
Credit: unknown
Children in Los Angeles in 2014 lead a protest against Ringling Bros. circus.
Credit: unknown
Activists dress up as animal prisoners showing how Ringling Bros holds animals captive like prisoners. Taken in 1992 in D.C.
Credit: Michael Koslow, (as with myself,
Lauren A.R. Koslow posing outside US Cellular Center in Asheville NC in 2013 after a successful protest with two dozen participants, when we distributed educational literature, children's coloring books, and had conversations, some of which had immediate discouraging impact and others that may have sunk in later.
Credit: Judy Kaplowitz, Norfolk, VA
This is me and an elephant friend at a demonstration protesting against the cruel treatment of the animals who're forced to perform in circuses. Baby elephants are separated from their mothers, tied up, and beaten until they submit and learn to perform behaviors that don't come naturally to them such as standing on their heads. For the animals' sakes, I'm glad that Ringling is closing down.
Credit: Michelle Diamond Hampton, Virgin
Opening Night Demo 2015, Hampton, Virginia
Credit: Michelle Diamond Hampton, Virgin
Opening night demo, 2014 Norfolk, Virginia
Credit: Katie Arth, Los Angeles
Robbyn Taylor, along with other protesters, take part in a demonstration in 2010 in Washington DC.
Credit: Katie Arth, Los Angeles
Robbyn Taylor participates in an anti-circus entry in Atlanta's Pride Parade in October 2013.
Credit: Jesse in Chicago, IL
Protesting RBBB Circus at United Center in November 2016.
Credit: Michelle, Denver
Me at my first circus protest!
Credit: unknown
Protester in "chains" to protest circus abuse of elephants
Credit: PETA, Los Angeles, CA
Actresses Renee Olstead & Megan Park protesting Ringling Bros. Circus.
Credit: Ashley Byrne
PETA "elephant" follows President Obama to the Late Show asking him to call on the USDA to confiscate Ringling's suffering elephants.
Credit: Unkown
Ellie the mechanical elephant giving a presentation at a school. Ellie teaches the importance of being kind to all animals and why people shouldn't support circuses that use animals.
Credit: Joshua, Cleveland
Protesting the saddest show on earth with Ellie, PETA's mechanical elephant.
Credit: Unkown
A massive protest against Ringling Bros. Circus in 2011 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Credit: Indiana Animal Rights Alliance,
Delilah Williamson (L) and Mary Beth Collins protesting the Ringling Bros. Circus in Indianapolis, IN in front of Bankers Life Fieldhouse, December 1, 2016.
Credit: Taylor Mason
I'm protesting outside the Verizon Center in DC- one of the countless demonstrations I've done in the last 7 years against Ringling Bros.
Credit: Annie Leal, Los Angeles, CA
Overjoyed to never have to protest cruel Ringling Brothers again!
Credit: Emily Rohr from Lexington, Kentu
A family posing for picture after learning about the cruelty that happens to animals at circuses during a PETA protest against Ringling Brothers outside of the Staples Center.
Credit: Stephanie Bell, SeaTac, WA (at t
Claudine Erlandson, Stephanie Bell, and Amy Webster--all of SEA--protesting Ringling in Tacoma, WA in 2012. One of countless circus protests the three of us have attended over the past two decades. Whenever Ringling came to town, we were there to speak out against their despicable abuses.
Credit: Jenee Sheffield, Virginia Beach
This is my son Mikey (4 years old in photo) helping educate circus goers in Norfolk last spring about the cruelty that goes on at the circus. He was really excited to tell the other kids they shouldn't go to the circus since they hurt animals.
Credit: robbie thomas Huntsville
Protesting Ringling Brothers Cruelty.
Credit: Kimberly Spiegel, Norfolk, VA
Dozens of compassionate citizens protesting the cruel Ringling Bros Circus in Norfolk, VA, because animals are not ours to use for entertainment!
Credit: Amy Meyer, Salt Lake City
Local magician, Matt Bruce, and a teenage boy in an elephant costume gave a free show to everyone boycotting animal cruelty outside the Ringling Circus in September 2010.
Credit: Alexa Neidigh, Bloomington India
My friend Amber (right) and me (left) protesting Ringling Brothers in 2015. It was a powerful annual tradition. There were always ticket holders who talked to us and decided to not go to the performance, their stories are a wonderful reminder to standing up for what is right.
Credit: IARA
Absolute favorite memory. I'm so glad you're letting the animals go free, thank you, after 146 years of torture they're saved.
Credit: Fellow Protester
My happiest moment of Ringling Bros.and Barnum & Bailey is protesting them outside of their "shows." RBBB is now known for stealing baby animals from their mothers and using bullhooks and whips to make the animals do unnatural acts out of fear of punishment. As people became more aware of RBBB's training methods, their ticket sales declined and led them to "shutting their doors."
Credit: Keith Burgeson, Brooklyn, NY
Activists protesting Ringling Bros. cruelty in Los Angeles in summer 2014.
Credit: Stephanie Shaw; Indiana
Carley Bowering and Michelle Feinberg protesting Ringling's abuse of animals; 2015.
Credit: Jesse in Chicago, IL
Protesting RBBB Circus November 2016 at United Center because animals are not ours for entertainment.
Credit: Passerby (name unknown), using m
Jean White at a circus protest in 2015
Credit: Abraham Santamaria
Been protesting Ringling Bros for almost 4 years. I'm glad they are going away. It's about time. Any company that hurts or kills animals deserves the same fate.
Credit: Tim Murray. Pittsburgh PA
My fiance and I are protesting the exploitation and cruelty towards animals caused by circuses. Pittsburgh PA
Credit: John
Good Riddance Ringling Bros.
Credit: Vegans united
Slc ut
Credit: robbie thomas
protesting ringlings cruelty.
Credit: Michelle Diamond Hampton, Virgin
Kings Don't Belong in Cages
Credit: Maura McKeon, Allentown, PA
Protesting Ringling in Allentown, PA.
Credit: Renee Saldana, Los Angeles
LA resident Mel M protests Ringling Bros. Circus in front of Staples Center in Los Angeles in July 2014.
Credit: Brittny Hopwood, Texas
Speaking up for animals abused by Ringling at 5 months pregnant, and with my daughter at 9 months and 18 months.
Credit: Lindsay Dadko, Oakland, CA
Hayden Hamilton of PETA distributes free anti-circus coloring books to would-be circus patrons in Los Angeles outside the Staples Center in 2011.
Credit: Matt Eckmann Atlanta, GA
Protesting Ringling in Birmingham, AL with my then 4 year old daughter and friend. It was below freezing, but our fierce love for animals kept us out there for hours.
Credit: Daniel Carron, Norfolk, VA
Protesting Ringling Bros Circus in Norfolk, VA, we are sad because they force animals to perform. While in transit, the animals are confined to boxcars, trailers, or trucks, where they may not have access to basic necessities, such as food, water, and veterinary care. Elephants are chained, and big cats are imprisoned in cramped, filthy cages, in which they eat, drink, sleep, defecate, and urinate?all in the same place. And there?s no relief once the animals reach a venue, where they remain caged and are chained in arena basements and parking lots.
Credit: Katie Arth, Los Angeles
Robbyn Taylor, along with other protesters, take part in a demonstration in 2010 in Washington DC.
Credit: Emily Rohr from Lexington, Kentu
A teen poses at a PETA protest against Ringling Brothers Circus outside the Staples Center in Los Angles.
Credit: Maura McKeon, Allentown, PA
Local activists protesting Ringling's animal abuse.
Credit: Molly Nicoletta, Seattle WA
My daughter and her friend at the Ringling Brother's circus...they decided not to go in because of the cruelty.
Credit: Unsure
Circus protest in Norfolk, VA
Credit: Passerby
Stacie, Sheila , Jenny and Marlena protesting in fort smith Arkansas
Credit: unsure
Circus protest
Credit: Allstate Arena
3 generations of family doing outreach to others about the lives of animals in Ringling Brothers circus. We do not believe animals should be used for entertainment. They should be free and treated with love.
Credit: Jesse in Chicago, IL
Protesting RBBB Circus Allstate Arena
Credit: Katie Arth
PETA "elephant" follows President Obama during 2012 debates asking him to call on the USDA to confiscate Ringling's suffering elephants.
Credit: unknown
Elephant and Bear mascot costumes protest circus use of animals
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Elephant mascot costume protests circus use of elephants
Credit: PETA, Norfolk, VA
Caged "tiger" protesting Ringling Bros. circus with message "wild animals don't belong behind bars."
Credit: unknown
Animal mascot costumes protest circus use of animals
Credit: PETA, Los Angeles, CA
Actress Renee Olstead protesting Ringling Bros. Circus.
Credit: Unknown
Animal rights activists call attention to Ringling's abuse of animals.
Credit: PETA, Los Angeles, CA
Actresses Renee Olstead & Megan Park protesting Ringling Bros. Circus.
Credit: Unknown
Animal rights activists stage protest to help circus-goers visualize the cruel treatment of animals at the hands of Ringling Bros.
Credit: unknown
A circus protester sitting in a cage with a sign that reads "No One Likes a Cage: Boycott Ringling Circus" alongside a "tiger".
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