Some North Carolina parents are upset after People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals found a new low yesterday in its disturbing use of children to score activist points. As the centerpiece of an anti-circus protest, PETA employees dressed a 12-year-old girl in prison stripes, placed her inside an animal cage, and put her on public display.

We’ve told you many times before how PETA targets children with its often lewd and offensive campaigns. But this is the first time we’ve seen the group enlisting the direct participation of someone so young for a live protest (in a cage no less!). Let’s hope it’s not a sign of things to come.