Protests break out in Billings as Jordan World Circus performs at the Metra [Video]

BILLINGS — This weekend in Billings at the Metra, the Jordan World Circus is under the big top, but that doesn’t sit right with some Billings residents following Viola the elephant’s Butte escape on April 17.

Protests near the Metra occurred on Friday and Saturday, with organizers claiming the circus animals deserve freedom, not chains.

“It’s time for the circuses to reinvent themselves,” said Meglena Wahrlich, one of the protest organizers, on Saturday. “It’s time to innovate. Send those wild animals to sanctuaries.”

Viola’s escape made headlines nationwide.

“When I saw the video of Viola escape for the third time now, it just broke my heart,” said Kelly Navarro, another protest organizer, on Saturday. “She just seemed sad.”

Protestors hoped to sway passing vehicles.

“I’m not here to completely say the circus is bad, that they abuse their animals. But there’s just other circuses that are out there that are thriving with animal-free circuses,” Navarro said. “It’s …