Circus Cancels Shows Over Threats

The Kelly Miller Family Circus says it canceled two performances in suburban Cleveland, Ohio, because of threats of violence – apparently made by employees of companies being offered tickets – including a statement that “bullets will fly.”

A July 13 release issued by the Chagrin Valley Junior Chamber of Commerce said that multiple threats of gun violence were communicated to ticket sales representatives in regards to the July 27 shows.

The traveling Kelly Miller Family Circus is based in Oklahoma. South Russell Police Chief Michael Rizzo told the Northeast Ohio News Group that employees of a telemarketing firm hired by the Jaycees received nasty comments from businesses they had called and offered advanced tickets to.

Some of those comments could have been interpreted as threats, he said. Rizzo says there were no specific details involving where or how the threats would be carried out, and no individuals have been identified as perpetrating the threats.

Activists protested the circus at council meetings for almost a year, but say they were disturbed by what led to the event’s cancellation.

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