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Please contact: the MN Jaycee President and National Jaycee President and National Vice President. Or call 1-800-JAYCEES and leave a message with the operator! You can visit their site at: National Jaycees

Here is my 2005 letter:
Dear US Jaycees,

I am writing to bring to your attention concerns about the circus (George Carden Circus) sponsored by the Rochester, Minnesota Jaycees chapter. Circuses which include wild animal attractions are very controversial, and despite public protests, our local Jaycees continue to bring to our town a circus whose reputation with animals has created negative reactions by concerned citizens.

I first contacted the Rochester, Minnesota Jaycees four years ago, informing them they were sponsoring a circus that has a long history of USDA violations. I have attached a recent copy of the violation fact sheet for the George Carden Circus. In this time there have also been three letters to the editor in our local paper speaking out against the circus and the Jaycees. I have attached two of these as well. Citizens have organized two protests against this Jaycees-sponsored circus.On April 28, 2004there were 14 protesters holding signs. This year the Jaycees themselves have become a target; some of the signs read, "The Rochester Jaycees Support Circus Animal Cruelty." Comments made by the circus goers included: "I'm joining your protest next year because the animals looked mistreated.", "The animals looked abused, I'm never going to attend another circus.", and "The treatment of the animals terrified my children." The protesters distributed 324 comic books which explain to children the sad life of a traveling circus elephant, and 85 George Carden violation fact sheets. The Rochester Jaycees meeting on May 5 was also protested. Again the signs that read The Rochester Jaycees Support Circus Animal Cruelty appeared. The owner of business (Holiday Inn South) where the Jaycees meeting was being held was concern the media was going to show up and make his business look bad! We told him why we were there, and he took our information.

I am also personally involved in educating people about the issue of circus animal cruelty. I have a website that speaks out against circuses and the Rochester Jaycees at www.mnraps.org. I have handed out 2,500 of the elephant comic books through the Rochester community. Wherever I notice Jaycees doing business regarding the circus event, I send information that speaks out against the George Carden Circus. As a result, local business have stopped putting up the advertising posters and removed ticket coupons from their counters. Not only are lawbreakers like the George Carden Circus endangering the community with their unsafe practices, but they are also exhibiting violence and animal cruelty to a part of the community which does not need more exposure to this; the Rochester Jaycees target the low-income and the mentally handicap with free and discounted tickets.

The Rochester Jaycees have a choice: continue to anger the community by making an unpopular and irresponsible choice, or become a community leader by sponsoring a circus that does not include wild animals. Alternatively they could change to an event that is not a circus at all. Given the negative PR they are receiving, one would think the Jaycees organization would not want to be associated this negative controversy. However they have not responded to our offers of information, nor our pleas to stop bringing this kind of event to our community.

Are you not worried about the Jaycees reputation? There are always protesters at these events and emotions run high. People who are driving by show their support by honking their horns and giving the thumbs-up. Jaycees are supposed to be a community group, and sponsor events that are well received by the whole community! Please ask the Rochester, Minnesota Jaycees and all Jaycees nationwide to be leaders in the community, and sponsor only animal-free circuses or no circuses at all.

Please let me know if you want more information about animal cruelty in circuses. I am happy to share or provide a presentation.
Online you can go to www.circuses.com

Thank-you for listening to my concerns.
Julie Eyrich