May 29, 2002

SHREVEPORT, LA -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, going to bat again for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, filed a federal lawsuit today against the City of Shreveport and six of its police officers for civil rights violations stemming from the wrongful arrest of three activists during a demonstration against circus animal abuse last year. The lawsuit seeks damages and other sanctions against the city on behalf of the three individuals who were falsely arrested, imprisoned and maliciously prosecuted.

³The peaceful and legitimate protesters in this case didn¹t belong behind bars. They should have gotten the full protection of the law by the named police officers, who instead treated them like common criminals and threw them in jail,² according to Joe Cook, Executive Director for the ACLU of Louisiana. ³On the other hand, Municipal Judge LaLeshia Walker Alford deserves praise for ruling on March 11, 2002, that the defendants, who are now plaintiffs, were lawfully exercising their free speech rights.²  

On May 29, 2001, PETA¹s ³Tiger Lady,² wearing only a thong, pasties, and body-painted tiger stripes planned to protest circus animal abuse by crouching in a small cage with a sign reading, ³Wild Animals Don¹t Belong Behind Bars.² Instead, she was arrested, along with two fellow activists on charges of obstructing public passage, and for performing an obscene act even before the start of their protest. It was slated in advance of a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus appearance in the area.  

³The police stopped us from informing people that in order to force animals to perform stressful acts, like jumping through fire, trainers use whips, muzzles, electric prods, and bullhooks that pierce the sensitive skin behind an elephant¹s thighs, ears, and knees. Between acts, elephants are kept chained, and bears and tigers are Œstored¹ in cages barely large enough for them to turn around in,² said Matthew Penzer, PETA¹s legal counsel. ³A successful lawsuit would ensure that the next time the circus comes to town, we¹ll be free to Œexpose¹ the animal suffering under the big top.²  

ACLU Cooperating Attorney Henry Walker of Shreveport is litigating the case on behalf of the plaintiffs. A legal brief in the case is available online at http://www.aclu.org/Files/Files.cfm?ID=10410&c=184. 

For more information on cruelty to circus animals please visit PETA¹s web site www.circuses.com.  

For more information on the ACLU¹s work to protect free speech rights, visit http://www.aclu.org/FreeSpeech/FreeSpeechMain.cfm.

from the ACLU