Imelda Staunton joins Animal Defenders International’s Stop Circus Suffering campaign

The Global Dispatch has just announced that Imelda Staunton (who portrayed the horrible Dolores Umbridge in the Potter films) has joined forces with Sir Roger Moore in support of Animal Defenders International’s (ADI) Stop Circus Suffering campaign.

ADI will write to Queen Elizabeth II, urging her to affirm her commitment to a wild animal circus ban in her State Opening of Parliament speech on June 4. A similar letter was sent last month to David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, which led him to reaffirm his commitment to legislation ADI plans to pass prohibiting the use of wild animals in circuses. The letter was signed by 75 celebrities and politicians, including Dame Judi Dench, June Brown, Prunella Scales, Timothy West, Ann Widdecombe, Brian Blessed, Dominic West, Eddie Izzard, Julian Clary, Michaela Strachan, Ben Goldsmith, and Shadow Environment Secretary Maria Eagle.

In the article, ADI’s Chief Executive says,

I am delighted that Sir Roger Moore and Imelda Staunton OBE are urging the Queen to support the promised ban on wild animals in circuses, which has support from the public and politicians alike. The Government has promised a ban, and we want to see it happen. Further delays will result in continued animal suffering.

Staunton will appear next as Knotgrass, one of three pixies who take care of Princess Aurora, in the new film Maleficent, which hits theaters this Friday, May 30. You can check out a new interview with Staunton about Maleficent right here!

Imelda Staunton has joined another worthy cause! You can find out about the rest of her extensive charity work on her MuggleNet cast page.