Williston, ND Active Issues

So far, I am seeing a ton of information all over the internet about the Hawthorne Corporation.  This group leases elephants to the Shriners Circuses.  They aren't the actual circus people themselves.  But as of 2004 look to be pretty shady when it comes to the handling of the elephants.

Can you guys provide relevant information more recent than 2004?

This is very interesting stuff. 

I'm not seeing info on the other animals though.  Can you provide info on them also?

Thanks Lacey...welcome aboard.

Hi Everyone!  I just wanted to update everyone on the circus protestors.

I was not one of them, but I am friends with all of them.  There were 3 adults and 7 children (2 over the age of 6, 3 over the age of 3 (standing with parent), and 2 under the age of 3 (who were in a double stoller)).  These people included the parents of the children and children of parents who felt strongly that their children should partake in the protest, but could not get off of work. I live out of town and was unable to attend because of the distance and my work schedule.

The circus protest was thoroughly investigated by the protestor.  The Shriners (who are a great organization) hired the Jordan World Circus to do this year's and many year's past circuses in Williston and around North Dakota.  Several years ago the JWC lost their license to have exotic animals (tigers, elephants, lions, etc.) because of many violations.  The license was taken away by the USDA.  Yep, the U.S. government.  Since this has occurred, the JWC has had to contract with another company, the Hawthrone Corporation, to get the animals for the shows.  The Hawthorne Corporation has also had multiple violations, however, through company name changes, they have managed to keep their license.  These violations by both companies are available on the USDA website under circuses.  After several attempts at contacting local Shriners (who shunned the protestors) and the companies, they were unwilling to provide any information that would support their cause or help in understanding their reasoning behind their practices.

The violations include...  too small of cages for the animals, lack of food and water, and lack of exercise and brutality towards the animals. 

On the Williston Herald Guest Book, there was a concern brought up about the zoo situation.  Zoos are as close as you can get to a natural environment for these animals.  Many of these animals have been hurt by other animals or are too sick to survive in nature, so the zoo allows for the rehabilitation of these animals, as well as, a learning experience for all. 

The woman that brought up the children were in the street was incorrect unless she was driving on the sidewalk.  Many individuals walked and/or drove by and saw that this was a peaceful demonstration and that they were just trying to get the message across.  The message was not that the Shriners are bad and that money should not go them.  In fact, it was just the opposite.  The information that they had available had information for the website and mailing address, so that the donations went directly to the Shriners organization rather than financially supporting the cruelty to animals, which is where the majority of the funds go from the circus proceeds.  This particular woman also called Social Services on the group because of, well, I don't really know, you'd have to ask her, because there was nothing cruel or out of the ordinary going on.  If a person (mother, father, grandparent, daycare provider) wanted to take their children to the park, you wouldn't call Social Services because they were walking across the street to get there, would you?  This is basically what this woman did; however, there was no walking or playing or running in the street by these children.  During events in Williston, there are children all over the place (i.e. circus, after school (which was not going on because of spring break), band day, or any other events).  Driving defensively is your best bet in keeping our children safe on the roads in this community!

If you want to do some research yourself, take a look a circuses.com and many other available websites that are useful if you take the time to look and investiage this important issue.  Please read the information before you start making judgements on the actions of others.  This was a new situation that occurred in Williston, which apparently helped in opening of the eyes of the community to issues that are taking place in and outside of community.

Jibslider wrote:

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I'm pretty sure the kid described by SKM was Sean Connery.

"Anal bum cover for 500 Alex"... "That's an album cover, Mr Connery."

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Or, my favorite, "The rapist..."

"That's Therapist......."

Sorry to go off subject...thanks for the comic relief...

 

-- Edited by SKM at 04:00, 2008-09-02

Do any of you know if the protestors were from some sort of daycare or something? 

From what I'm hearing there were a number of kids along. 

Funny how you hear the two sides of the story from the Herald guest book.  I wish they would all come over hear and throw down in real time!!!  Now that would be fun!!!

I just read about the protests on the Herald website and I must say kudos to the folks out protesting the unethical treatment of animals. The only type of thing I saw like this in Williston growing up were the "evangelists" that stood on the corner of Hwy 2 & 85 telling me how much of a sinner I was.

Once again... kudos.