PETA blasts visceral bird cries outside White House to protest turkey pardon
An animal rights group is making its presence known in Washington D.C. as the White House prepares for its annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon tradition. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has brought their “Hell on Wheels” turkey truck to the streets of D.C., featuring distressing animal cries and subliminal messages urging people to go vegan.
The truck, which resembles a real turkey transport vehicle covered with images of cramped and sickly turkeys, has been traveling across 30 states since October. It made a stop outside the Willard Hotel on Sunday before setting up outside the White House on Monday. PETA’s message is clear – every turkey is an individual deserving of compassion, and going vegan is a simple way to help end their suffering.
Amanda Brody, assistant manager in PETA’s international grassroots campaigns department, explained that the subliminal messages to go vegan are meant to encourage people to pay attention and make a change. She emphasized that no one needs to consume animal products to be healthy, and choosing a vegan meal for Thanksgiving can make a significant impact.
PETA President Ingrid Newkirk has been vocal about her opposition to the turkey pardon tradition, calling it a “humiliating meat-industry stunt.” She sent a letter to President Biden urging him to end the tradition, highlighting the emotional intelligence of turkeys and the cruel conditions they face in the meat industry. The “Hell on Wheels” truck serves as a visual reminder to choose compassion over cruelty this Thanksgiving and beyond.
The history of the presidential turkey pardon is a bit unclear, with different accounts of when it first began. Some attribute it to President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, while others believe it started with President Harry S. Truman. According to NPR, the tradition was formalized in 1989 by President George H.W. Bush.
As the White House prepares for the annual turkey pardon, PETA’s presence serves as a reminder to consider the impact of our food choices on animals. Choosing a vegan meal can not only be a healthier option but also a compassionate one towards the turkeys who are pardoned and those who are not. Let’s make this Thanksgiving a time of gratitude for all living beings.
