MANHATTAN BEACH : Fair’s Elephant Ride Canceled After Protests
Facing protests from animal rights activists, city officials here have agreed to cancel the elephant ride at next month’s Old Hometown Fair.
About 80 activists picketed the ride last year, brandishing signs saying “Shame!” and “Is this any way to teach your children compassion?” Over the past month, city officials have received numerous calls and letters protesting the ride, which has been a tradition at the city-sponsored fair for many years.
Officials agreed to cancel the ride last week on the condition that activists not protest at the Wednesday City Council meeting, said Kathy Yandell, executive director of Education and Action for Animals, a Redondo Beach-based group.
“It’s encouraging that the city of Manhattan Beach is taking a step toward compassion and enlightenment,” Yandell said. “They do not need to depend on animals at their fairs to entertain people.”
Brian McMillan, a Canyon Country animal supplier who planned to provide the elephant at the Live Oak Park fair Oct. 1 and 2, said he will instead offer an educational exhibit on endangered animals, complete with a leopard and a black panther. Still, he said, children will miss the ride.
“It’s a crying shame for the kids,” he said.
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