THE BALLOON MAN

SA votes ‘no’ to circus show

foto

Ryan Ocasio

From: northernstar.info

By RachelScaman

Sun Feb 16, 2014.

The Circus Spectacular will not come to the Convocation Center if the Student Association Senate has its way.

SA Senate decided on a new Board of Elections Committee as well as a resolution to show the Senate does not support the Circus Spectacular coming to NIU. The Senate voted during its 6 p.m. Sunday meeting in the Sky Room of the Holmes Student Center.

Circus Spectacular

During the meeting, Otis Buckley, Green Paws Environmental Alliance vice president, was invited to speak about the Circus Spectacular, a group bringing human and animal performers to the Convocation Center on March 4. The circus’ planned trip has aroused controversy in the community from those who think it should not come.

Buckley said NIU President Doug Baker was presented with a petition that had more than 2,600 signatures from students, faculty members and other members of the community who feel having the circus come to NIU would be a bad idea.

During the meeting, Otis Buckley, Green Paws Environmental Alliance vice president, was invited to speak about the Circus Spectacular, a group bringing human and animal performers to the Convocation Center on March 4. The circus’ planned trip has aroused controversy in the community from those who think it should not come.

Buckley said NIU President Doug Baker was presented with a petition that had more than 2,600 signatures from students, faculty members and other members of the community who feel having the circus come to NIU would be a bad idea.

“We were also able to turn in a letter to the president that had 12 officers from six different student organizations sign on board saying that they also agree with [not having the circus come to NIU],” Buckley said.

Buckley said the George Carden Circus has received “numerous” citations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for violations of the Animal Welfare Act. Buckley said the circus’ most recent infraction was in 2013.

“It has been proven that these are the things that this particular circus is doing, has done and continues to do,” Buckley said.

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http://northernstar.info/campus/article_55e24686-9797-11e3-b013-0017a43b2370.html