PETA ‘Pig’ Arrested at ASPCA Event at The Plaza Over Factory Farm Endorsement
For Immediate Release:
October 10, 2024
Contact:
Nicole Perreira 202-483-7382
Moments ago, a PETA supporter wearing a pig mask and holding a sign reading, “Stop Betraying Us!” was dragged out of The Plaza Hotel and arrested on its steps after interrupting the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (ASPCA) Annual Humane Awards Luncheon, apologizing to the awardees for the interruption but condemning the group for pimping for the factory farming industry at the expense of animal suffering and deaths. Dozens of others joined in the protest. Photos of the protest are here.
Before being hauled out by security, the protester implored ASPCA’s top brass to resign immediately from the board of directors of Global Animal Partnership, a highly deceptive “humane-washing” scheme that props up the cruelty inherent in factory farming. The program allows animal-exploiting companies to place grossly misleading “animal welfare certified” labels on meat, eggs, and dairy—even though PETA investigators have documented systemic cruelty and suffering at all 12 certified facilities they visited, all of which can be seen in videos like this one.
“The ASPCA is betraying animals and caring consumers by putting its stamp of approval on meat, eggs, and dairy from factory farms where animals suffer mightily before being killed,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA urges the ASPCA to cut ties with this humane-washing scam and urges everyone to take responsibility to stop cruelty to animals by please going vegan.”
PETA’s investigation into Plainville Farms—which at the time was Global Animal Partnership–certified—documented that workers kicked, beat, and threw turkeys and left ailing birds to suffer without treatment. The investigation resulted in former workers being charged with six felonies and a total of 141 counts of cruelty to animals—the largest number in any factory-farmed animal case in U.S. history—and 10 former workers have been convicted so far. PETA’s investigation into Sweet Stem Farm, which was also certified by Global Animal Partnership at the time, revealed that pigs were crammed into severely crowded sheds and had painful, bloody rectal prolapses.
The group previously appealed to the leaders of the ASPCA, the Humane Society of the United States, and Compassion in World Farming urging them to step down from the board of directors of the Global Animal Partnership, as PETA and another group, Farm Forward, have done.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. The group also offers a free vegan starter kit on its website for anyone ready to make the switch. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
