A planned protest against Cole Bros. Circus turned into a celebration after the Islip Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs denied a permit application—submitted by the East Islip Fire Department—to host Cole Bros. Circus at Brookwood Hall Park after hearing from Long Island Orchestrating for Nature.

(Credit: Newsday / John Paraskevas)

This victory follows two years of LION protests outside of Brookwood Hall Park and an urgent letter to the Town of Islip following notification of the circus's permit application by LION member Anita Cafferty.