"I've seen a lot of strange things in Wyoming"
Posted on 08/24/2005 2:09:27 AM PDT by SLB
Many drivers on Second Street slowed and turned their heads on Tuesday as they passed a "naked" woman protesting the arrival of the circus.
Larry McGuire walked over with his dog Baby to find out what was happening, steering wide of the woman and another protester who was wearing a television on his chest as he went to talk with police gathered at the scene.
"I've seen a lot of strange things in Wyoming, but I've never seen this," McGuire said.
What was seen at the intersection of Second Street and South Walsh Drive on Tuesday was something short of a naked woman. Brandi Valladolid is the circus campaign coordinator for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. On Tuesday, she sat topless on the sidewalk, her back showing painted "scars," her legs bound with shackles and her modesty preserved with a few pieces of skin-toned tape.
A banner behind Valladolid read "Shackled, lonely, beaten," and a protester helping to support it played a video purporting to show the abuse of animals by circus trainers.
Valladolid said circus animals are injured and sometimes killed as they are urged to perform unnatural activities.
"Of course, my scars are fake," she said. "I get to take them off."
Valladolid's form of protest is nothing new to organizers of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which begins performances at the Casper Events Center on Thursday. Joanna Wilbee, a publicist for the circus, called it a "stunt" that has been performed hundreds of times across the country.
Wilbee said videos offered by PETA are misleadingly "pieced together."
A press release from Ringling Bros. speaks of the circus's "commitment" to caring for animals and its status as an industry leader in that regard.
Ringling Bros. has reportedly not brought its circus to Casper for 15 years, well before PETA's circus campaign was unveiled. Tuesday's protest was accompanied by a mixture of curiosity, interest and annoyance.
Three Casper police cars and as many officers waited in the area, explaining that Valladolid was within her rights as she shared her message even as they were concerned about the possibility of traffic problems or other disruptions.
Traffic, indeed, backed up at the intersection as some drivers were observed making repeated laps around the block, in some cases brandishing camera phones and even video cameras.
Ryan Atkins walked up at one point to talk to Valladolid and Matt Rice, the television-toting PETA protester.
"Are you guys from Wyoming?" Atkins asked.
They are not, Valladolid said. The two traveled to Casper from Virginia, and after Tuesday's protest they left for Montana. Valladolid said they would be back in Casper at the weekend to talk to people visiting the circus, allowing perhaps for more conversation on the topic of animal rights.
Katie Brothers, a 17-year-old Midwest High School student, showed up about halfway through the noon to 1 p.m. protest to help out. She stood above Valladolid and held one edge of the banner.
"People need to realize what's happening to these animals," Brothers said.
They are not, Valladolid said. The two traveled to Casper from Virginia, and after Tuesday's protest they left for Montana. Valladolid said they would be back in Casper at the weekend to talk to people visiting the circus, allowing perhaps for more conversation on the topic of animal rights.
This says it. However I fear the South East corner of Wyoming will soon be taken over by the tree huggers who are moving in from the left coast after ruining Colorado.
Why didn't I ever see any nekid women protesting when I lived in Casper?
" . . . a "naked" woman protesting the arrival of the circus."
Ahem! (clearing throat) . . . pictures?
Once they experience the bone chilling cold winters, maybe they won't want to stay. I lived in Montana in 1977 - 1978 while in the USAF. It was colder {-38 and frequent wind chills of -80 to -100} than a witches ahem and a well diggers ahem if you know what I mean.
That's fitting, because PETA is a fake, too.
Nothing. The cops left them alone.
I spent 1 1/2 winters in Northeast Montana. I worked for a seismograph company, but my "ahem" still got pretty darn chilly. I saw -40 one morning.
"I've seen a lot of strange things in Wyoming"
The PETA founder, Ingrid Newkirk, is said to obtain a sadistic and perverse joy out of seeing her "girls" exploited by parading around naked or nearly naked on sidewalks and in cages.
The whole spectacle is sick and perverted.
Betcha' a hundred bucks she puts a heart over the "i" in Brandi when she signs her name.
"bring in the clowns"
"The whole spectacle is sick and perverted."
Last time I went to the circus their were the protestors - but no naked ladies. I viewed it as a learning experience for my young kids. Free speech, the right to protest, see what happens to you if you drop out of college and don't eat meat, etc.
Maybe she has a nice bod...but probably not.
If #10 posted by Skypilot is her -- just as well there aren't any pics.
You sure that isn't one of the circus acts?
LOL
Phew.
If she had been serious about saving the poor animals, she would have been completely naked – not just “nearly” naked.
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