Group Calls on Philadelphians to Mark Holiday by Going Vegan
For Immediate Release:
March 20, 2013
Contact:
Kaitlynn Kelly 202-483-7382
Philadelphia -- Today, PETA sent a letter to Michael E. Harris, executive director of the South Street Headhouse District, seeking permission to allow PETA's pro-vegan mobile billboard to take part in the district's Easter Parade on March 31. The billboard shows a pig peering through a window of a livestock-transport truck bound for the slaughterhouse next to the caption "Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me? For Christ's Sake, Go Vegan." PETA's point? That Jesus asked his followers to have mercy for the meekest among us. And no species on Earth are in need of that mercy more than the pigs, chickens, cows, and other animals routinely abused on factory farms and sent to a painful and terrifying death to feed humans.
"Today's factory farms are a living hell for pigs, chickens, cows, and other animals," says PETA Director of Communications Colleen O'Brien, a devout Roman Catholic. "Jesus would be appalled to witness the meat, egg, and dairy industries' harmful effects on animals, human health, and the Earth. Easter is about rebirth—so it's the perfect time to go vegan."
PETA is encouraging everyone to celebrate the holiday with a delicious vegan brunch. And paradegoers might want to check out the popular vegetarian restaurants along or near the parade route, including The Vegan Tree (742 South St.) and Maoz Vegetarian (248 South St.)—or Hot Diggity (630 South St.), which offers veggie dogs.
Factory farms confine pigs and other animals to filthy, cramped cages, stalls, and sheds, where a steady diet of drugs keeps them alive long enough to be prodded to the slaughterhouse. Pigs' tails are cut off, and they are castrated—and chickens used for eggs have their sensitive beaks sliced off—all without any pain relief.
For more information, please visit PETA's blog.
PETA's letter to the South Street Headhouse District follows.
March 20, 2013
Michael E. Harris
Executive Director
South Street Headhouse District
Dear Mr. Harris,
I am writing on behalf of PETA and our more than 3 million members and supporters worldwide, including thousands in Pennsylvania, for permission to include our pro-vegan mobile billboard in this year's Easter Promenade. The ad shows a pig on his way to slaughter and reads, "Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me? For Christ's Sake, Go Vegan. PETA."
Jesus' message was one of compassion and mercy, yet animals raised for food are abused in ways that shock the conscience of all kind people. Thus, a growing number of Christians and non-Christians alike are going vegan to protect piglets from having their tails and testicles cut off without painkillers on factory farms; to keep terrified, still conscious chickens from having their throats slit in slaughterhouses; and to stop fish from being painfully suffocated on fishing boats.
At this time when we celebrate rebirth, our ad would inspire parade attendees to begin a new, kinder way of eating. And what better place to decide to make the switch to delicious vegan food than on South Street, which, as your website notes, includes two all-vegetarian restaurants and is also home to another restaurant that serves veggie dogs?
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Colleen O'Brien
Senior Director of Communications