SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Clowns and animal rights activists slugged it out under the big top in front of hundreds of bewildered spectators at a circus in southern California, allegedly leaving several people injured.
According to KNBC in Los Angeles, the fight began when circus workers tried to stop the activists from forcing their way into the Ramos Bros. Circus big top tent during a performance on Friday night in San Bernardino.
Local police say that two protesters, who say they are part of the Direct Action Everywhere group and who claim that circus animals are treated in a cruel and inhumane manner by traveling animal acts, were arrested following the fight. According to the Ramos Brothers website, the circus features animals like llamas, camels and horses in their acts, KNBC reports.
According to the protester’s Facebook page, one man—identified by the group as Abraham Santamaria—still remains in jail in lieu of a $50,000 bond.
“These people are just crazy fanatics… it has to stop. These people are getting out of hand,” Ringmaster Oliver Ramos said after the melee. He says that he split his lip after being struck on the face with his megaphone trying to keep the protestors outside.
Protester Nicholas Shaw-McMinn says that his group was actually the victims in the incident. He told KNBC that they were conducting a non-violent protest and were attacked by circus employees.
“Employees locked us on the property and wouldn’t let us leave. They assaulted… multiple protestors, some with weapons,” Shaw-McMinn told KNBC.