Who doesn’t like a good animal-rights protest?

I can’t say that I am always crazy about them, actually. Protests have proven to bring about positive change and raise awareness on key social issues in certain contexts. But in some contexts, they do more damage than good and other methods are more effective.

As with any activism, one must consider the mind-set of the masses to whom they are protesting. For instance, if you decide to protest hunting at a gun and hunting expo; what is the realistic impact that you are likely to have?

Consider the majority of people that are attending a gun and hunting expo. Many of them belong to the NRA/NRHA, many are gun enthusiasts whose passion for guns and hunting was passed down from generation to generation within their families. For these people, hunting is not a hobby, it is a lifestyle. Much like I discussed in a prior post about lifestyle; the hunting lifestyle is actually who they are, not simply what they do. Therefore, seeing a bunch of anti-hunting protesters in front of their gun and hunting event will most likely not make them stop and say, “Hmmmm….perhaps I should rethink this whole hunting-thing”. It would be the equivalent of meat-eaters protesting your vegetarianism. How well would that go over?

I have seen circus protests go one way or the other. Again, it depends on how it is approached. Consider that people that go to the circus are often going because the circus provides fond memories for them from their childhood, and they want to pass this along to their children. Their intent is not to support the abuse of animals, rather, their intent is to create wonderful memories for their children. When they arrive at the circus, with this intent in mind, and are met with a group of angry protesters, carrying signs showing pictures of circus animals in chains and shackles, not only does this disrupt their original intent, but it now makes them defensive because their parental choices are being called into question. Further, their children are being exposed to pictures that one would find objectionable. Remember, we are not trying to rape the minds of young children; this makes us no better than the ringmaster that is forcing an elephant to bend to his will by hitting him with the bullhook.

The best method that I have seen is with my current organization. We simply leaflet; offering show-goers pamphlets that educate them on the issues. This is accompanied by asking them if they would like some education on the animals. Many times, their children do not even notice us, and the parents are not being called-out on their actions in a manner that makes them feel defensive. You are now empowering them to make the choice themselves in the future about going to the circus.

Remember, the intent is to educate - not change.