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Torts
Harassment
Animal Rights Activists

Deniz Bolbol, Joseph Cuviello v. Feld Entertainment Inc., dba Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus

Published: Mar. 2, 2013 | Result Date: Feb. 14, 2013 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: 5:2011-cv-05539 Verdict –  Defense

Court

USDC Northern


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Matthew L. Springman

G. Whitney Leigh


Defendant

Gregory A. Ward

James McManis
(McManis Faulkner)

Ruby H. Kazi
(Hopkins & Carley)


Facts

Two animal rights activists filed suit against Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, claiming they were harassed for trying to videotape the backstage treatment of animals. The activists argued that circus employees pointed lasers at their video cameras and used ropes and a water hose to interfere with their taping. They claimed they were attempting to gather evidence of alleged mistreatment of elephants. The circus argued there was no interference with Plaintiffs' videotaping, and also Plaintiffs were videotaping in an area that had previously been adjudicated by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California to be a "non-public forum."

Result

The jury ruled in favor of the circus.


#96011

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