Pigs to Descend on the U.S. Capitol?
With the world worried about swine flu, we’re ready to turn up the heat—by heading to the steps of the U.S. Capitol to re-create a real-life hog factory farm if our permit is granted. Along with audio of piglets who scream as they endure castration, tail-docking, and ear-notching without any painkillers, our proposed exhibit will include the following:
- A total of 3,500 1-gallon buckets of pig manure and urine to represent the 3,500 tons of animal waste that pollute our air and water every year, courtesy of each and every average U.S. factory farm (along with giant fans to ensure that everyone gets a whiff)
- Undercover video footage taken at a pig factory farm
- Three “pigs” in narrow metal crates to represent the 3 million mother pigs who spend their short, miserable lives churning out babies, unable even to turn around or take a single step in any direction
We’ve submitted the permit requests and asked to set up shop next week. Now, like the neighbors of the smelly hog farm in LaGloria, Mexico, that’s in the news or the folks living next to that smelly hog farm in Tewksbury, Delaware, we’re just holding our breath—and hoping to get our permit so that we can bring a dose of reality to Washington’s visitors, residents, and lawmakers!
Keep your fingers crossed, and hopefully we’ll see you at the Capitol!
Written by Karin Bennett
