Just a brief report on the circus within a circus - don't know which is bigger or more entertaining.  Circus Massimo showed up a few days ago and pitched their tent on private property, just as they did very successfully last time.  They didn't seek proper permissions or permits - just put on a show and left. We were told they were subsequently fined, (and have no idea if they paid the fine) which would have been cheaper in any event than seeking proper permits.  Anyhow same trick this year but we were ready with a protest,  newspaper and TV cameras since there was no alternative except to embarrass the officials into finally doing something.  Here comes the circus within the circus.

We first heard about the circus as they performed up the road in Chrisoupoli, again on private property.  We immediately contacted the District Attorney's office but were told they could not do much since it was the weekend and they were short of people.  We thought that they could stop them from coming to Kavala.  There was no objection to the circus from the Mayor of Chrisoupoli.  We did confirm that the Mayor of Kavala did not allow them to set up on public land or give them permission to perform.   They performed in Chrisoupoli without any problems and continued to Kavala and set up.

The circus people began plastering the town and suburbs with posters and flyers on every electrical and telephone post,  glued on garbage bins, bus stops, windows and any other surface you can think of.  I have never seen so many advertisements.  I visited the chief of police with our complaint about permits and he reassured me that they were in contact with the city police.  The circus people kept giving flyers and coupons with a 3 euro discount and going from neighborhood to neighborhood announcing their performances.  Tuesday the circus tent was up and I went back to the police.  I was informed by the local police that the fines were set and the city police will stop them.  In view of the very poor record of the police as to enforcement of the law,  Aesopos decided to take the matter into their hands.  At 6:00 p.m.  Wednesday we were in front of the circus, which was set up adjacent to a school.  The law says the circus must be a minimum of 150m from schools, occupied residence etc.  Aesopos contacted the radio, newspaper reporters and the local tv channel. A few other members from environmental organizations were also there and we were waiting to see if the local police were indeed going to enforce the law.

The newly appointed Vice Mayor had said that he couldn't do anything preemptive because it was private land, but assured us that if they performed, he would close them down.   At 7 PM on Wednesday, an hour before the performance was to start, The vice mayor's city police did show up in what we thought was finally some action - NO - they knew nothing about the fact that the circus was illegal, and that they were there to assist with the parking.  After the radio and TV reporters contacted the police, the real police finally showed up and arrested the manager of the circus after insults were hurled back and forth.  The manager spent the night in jail but the show went on Wednesday evening.

Promises were that the circus will be shuttered Thursday World Environment Day, and it was closed.  The circus was finally shut down, but they promised to appeal the closure.  Fortunately, most but not all, of the media were on our side and we don't believe that the appeal will prevail in view of all the permits they must secure.  Of course Aesop's is concerned for the welfare of the animals, but a much larger issue is the safety of the citizens.  The tent and supporting apparatus was never inspected.  The issues of fire safety and evacuation were not inspected, Health issues, noise, garbage, parking, the list goes on and on - all without permission and totally illegal. 

Aesops prevailed this time and the key to success was getting the press, the radio and TV informed and involved.  The Greens helped and all those concerned for the environment also helped.  The city employees are NOT knowledgeable of the law and permits required.  When all were informed, of the potential risk and health hazards, as well as the cruel treatment of the animals, they finally came around to our way of thinking.