Virginia Fort, a 22-year-old People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) campaign coordinator arrived at the corner clothed in a robe, but soon all that would change. As any PETA organizer would tell you, shock value portrays a more distinctive message, so Fort disrobed. The only cover on her bare body were small black panties and tiger stripes, painted on to portray one of several animals used in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus. She hopped in a cage to portray the confines in which the wild cats are kept. Above her, a sign read "Wild animals don’t belong behind bars."

As the circus is an annual event in the Meadowlands, so are PETA protests on the streets of Rutherford. This time, PETA set up shop on Park Avenue in Rutherford, on the corner near the First Presbyterian Church. Passers-by, if they didn’t get the message of fair treatment to animals, at least got an eyeful and a story to tell their family members that night.

As cars passed during the busy lunchtime hours, most slowed to a near creep to catch a glimpse of Fort, some beeping their horns while others gave a wave or thumbs up from the windows. Those roaming the streets for a quick lunchtime bite to eat got up close and personal. Mike Sparaco, a 32-year-old electrician from Barnegat had just bought an Italian hero at the deli when he saw Fort and the protest while walking up the block. He soon pulled out a cell phone and snapped her photo. He said he’d send it to his friend who likes tigers.

"I’m not offended at all by it, I think everyone’s entitled to their own opinions," said Sparaco.

Others, however, did not seem amused. A woman driving a caravan up Park Avenue, the tell-tale sign that there might be young children in the back, did creep to get a sneak peak at the commotion, quickly gasped, rolled her eyes, and hit the gas.

PETA has made it a tradition to assemble shocking, eye-catching demonstrations in Rutherford prior to the opening of the circus. In 2006, a female volunteer dressed as a dominatrix whipped a near nude male volunteer with a backdrop "Chains belong in the bedroom, not the circus."

Why PETA?

Why would such a young woman like Fort, as many PETA campaigners and volunteers are, leave her life to travel the country and bare all on an unfamiliar street corner in Anywhere, USA?

"Many of our volunteers are in the shoes of who we’re reaching out to on a day-to-day basis and many are young and ambitious in their ideals…they want to make a difference," said campaign coordinator Ashley Byrne. "When people see the extent of cruelty that takes place and see that these animals are faced to perform unnatural and painful tricks, it moves them to want to protest and stand up for these animals."

In an interview after the demonstration, while Fort was on the road traveling to her next protest, she revealed little about her life before PETA. She would not answer whether she had left deep family roots, a job, college or even a companion, but did say she had no regrets. She said as long as the circus continues its alleged neglect and abuse, she will not return to mainstream life; she will remain with PETA. Although she is a PETA staff member, paid by the organization, her protest efforts are on a volunteer basis.

Asked why go to such extremes, which some say is pure exhibitionism, she denounced critics. "An eye-catching demonstration helps alert people that if they are supporting Ringling Bros., they are supporting animal cruelty," she said.

PETA has come under fire through its many years for targeting youth to join its efforts. Groups and parents have said the aim is predatory to a vulnerable and easily persuaded generation. In a scathing public interest report released by the group Center for Consumer Freedom, it quoted PETA Kids division coordinator Marci Hansen in June 2003 as saying, "We are after the kids who are looking and searching for something."

Local high school students walking past the demonstration on their lunch break were asked if they would ever consider joining a movement and going to the extremes Fort has to stand up for a cause they believed in. The opinions varied, some suggesting it was too much in a time when someone should be directing efforts to develop their futures. Others said if the chance was presented, they wouldn’t think twice.

"I think it’s a decent way to protest, it’s not inappropriate and it’s not hurting anyone," said 17-year-old Marie Kakogiannis of Rutherford. "I would protest for a cause I was interested in, but I would never do it while in school, I would never leave my education."

Her friend Christine Fenwick said she would consider it, but she thinks a good population of teens that she knows are too involved to embark on such an endeavor.

"I would. I just don’t think that many people would, they are all too wrapped up in their own lives."