(16.12.2010)
International Rock Sensation Tokio Hotel
Says ‘No’ To Circuses In New petaDishoom Ad
Mumbai – Twin brothers Bill and Tom Kaulitz of the award-winning rock band Tokio Hotel are targeting circuses that use animals in a provocative new campaign for petaDishoom, the youth outreach division of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India. In the ad, the vegetarian duo are shown shackled and chained in a grimy, bloodstained basement next to the words “Slaves of the Entertainment Industry: Get Wild Animals Out of the Circus!” The ad, which was shot by top German photographer Kai Stuht, contains English and Hindi text and comes on the heels of the Indian release of Tokio Hotel’s greatest hits album. The talented group’s records have gone platinum many times over, scored four number one singles and sold out arenas and stadiums. They also scored an MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist in 2008.
“Just try to imagine those animals being kept this way their whole lives,” says Bill. “Circuses with animals must be banned. After all, there are plenty of exciting alternatives available!”
Bill and Tom want people to know that animals in circuses are subjected to chronic confinement, physical abuse and psychological torment. They are trained under the threat of beatings and whippings and are forced to perform under duress and the fear of punishment. Circuses give audiences a distorted view of animals, who do not naturally ride bicycles, stand on their heads or jump through rings of fire. In contrast to the glittery images associated with circuses, the lives of animals in circuses are miserable. Whips, ankushes and other tools are often used to inflict pain on animals and force them to perform. Even the animals’ access to water, food and veterinary care is often severely restricted.
Animals in Indian circuses are also kept in atrocious conditions. Dogs are crammed into dirty cages and rarely let out. Birds are confined to small cages and have their wings clipped so that they cannot fly. Horses are kept tethered on short ropes. Elephants are kept tied by three legs, and trainers regularly beat the animals into submission. Even though the government has banned the use of bears, monkeys, tigers, panthers and lions in performances, some of these animals continue to be illegally used in entertainment acts, including street performances.
Tokio Hotel is known internationally for a string of number one singles and has sold millions of albums worldwide. Bill and Tom, who recently moved from Germany to Los Angeles, join a growing list of celebrities – including Olivia Munn, Demi Moore, Rakhi Sawant and Shilpa Shetty – who have publicly condemned circuses that use animals.
For more information, please visit PETADishoom.com
Tokio Hotel Says ‘No’ to Circuses
Although their popularity in India is just starting to grow, the members of the German rock band Tokio Hotel are already bona fide stars in many other parts of the world. The band has sold millions of albums worldwide, and with four number one singles and an MTV Video Music Award (VMA) for Best New Artist under their belt, they are all set to become the next superstars. Check out Tokio Hotel’s public service announcement to learn more, and then take our pledge to boycott circuses that use animals!
Speaking of the VMAs, Tokio Hotel first caught the attention of the staffers at our US affiliate peta2 after the band’s red-carpet arrival at the awards show back in 2008. The group of heartthrobs demanded attention by arriving at Hollywood’s Paramount Studios in the bed of a head-turning monster truck. It was a much-welcome alternative to T-Pain’s tasteless entrance, which the members of Tokio Hotel were not pleased about. Of T-Pain’s arrival, the band’s lead vocalist, Bill Kaulitz, said, “It was sheer cruelty – it was that“. Tokio Hotel guitarist (and Bill’s brother) Tom Kaulitz added, “I hate zoos and circuses. People shouldn’t take their children to either one“.
‘PAIN’, how apropos
We couldn’t agree more. Animals in circuses are denied everything that is natural and important to them. Trainers often beat and intimidate animals into submission and obedience. Even the animals’ access to water, food and veterinary care is often severely limited. Animals are crammed into filthy cages and rarely see the sun or breathe fresh air.
Take a stand against this injustice
by sharing this information with your friends
and pledging never to attend circuses that use animals
Animals in circuses are forced to endure a life of misery – all for the sake of a few meaningless tricks. By signing my name, I pledge never to attend any circus that uses animals.
SIGN
HERE
