Will PETA’s ‘Tim Tofu’ Mascot Join America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Parade?

For Immediate Release:
October 12, 2021

Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382

To welcome all of America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration attendees—including those who don’t eat meat for religious, cultural, ethical, or environmental reasons—PETA sent a letter this morning to Nancy Martin, event organizer, asking that she allow the group’s Tim Tofu mascot to accompany the parade’s Tom Turkey float.

In the letter, PETA points out that having Tim Tofu in the parade would foster inclusivity for a holiday that’s about appreciation and kindness: Vegan consumers have increased by 500% since 2014, nearly half of Americans are now eating more vegan foods, and tofu sales have skyrocketed during the past year and a half.

“Tim Tofu’s pilgrimage to this parade would delight the many attendees who keep gentle birds off the Thanksgiving table,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA is eager to help this historic parade reflect modern-day attitudes and to share with families the joy of soy.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to Martin follows.

October 12, 2021

Nancy Martin

America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration

Dear Ms. Martin:

I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals—PETA entities have more than 9 million members and supporters globally, including many across Massachusetts—with a request, one that would truly celebrate and welcome all parade attendees, including those who don’t eat meat for religious, cultural, ethical, or environmental reasons. This year, may our Tim Tofu mascot please accompany your Tom Turkey float in America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration parade? The mascot sends a wonderful message while being soy cute.

At a time when the United Nations is calling for a global shift toward plant-based eating to combat the worst effects of climate change, when billions of turkeys are being killed every year, and when the top killers in the U.S. include heart disease, cancer, and strokes—all linked to eating meat—the addition of a tofu mascot to the parade would be a cause for celebration. In addition to being cruelty-free, tofu is packed with protein, contains no cholesterol, and can lower the risk of developing life-threatening health problems.

Turkeys are caring parents, good flyers, and clever, spirited explorers who can live up to 10 years in nature, but those raised for food are normally slaughtered when they’re between 12 and 26 weeks old—and more than 46 million are killed each year for Thanksgiving alone. The young birds are hung by their feet from metal shackles and dragged through an electrified bath, and they’re often still conscious when their throats are slit and they’re dumped into scalding-hot defeathering tanks.

Traditions are constantly changing and adapting. Given that vegan consumers have increased by 500% since 2014, cruelty-free foods are appearing on food-service menus 1,320% more now than before the pandemic, nearly half of Americans are now eating more vegan foods, and tofu sales have skyrocketed during the past year and a half, having Tim Tofu ride a parade float or walk alongside the crowd would be a great way to foster inclusivity for a holiday that’s all about appreciation and kindness. Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to hearing from you.

Very truly yours,

Ingrid Newkirk

President