From Arrested ‘Pigs’ to Glen Powell Selfies: See PETA’s Protest Highlights of 2024!
At PETA, “subtlety” is not in our vocabulary. When it comes to our eye-catching demonstrations, we aren’t afraid to get our hands dirty—or “bloody”—to send a message to companies and institutions that profit from or fund animal abuse.
Check out some of our protest highlights from 2024.
A Giant ‘Mouse’ Rallied for Animal-Free Research
PETA’s experimentation victim “mouse” mascot attended all the year’s major election events, from both presidential debates to the Republican National Convention, the Democratic National Convention, the vice presidential debate, and even early voting polls. Our “mouse” was there to inform everyone about the $23 billion taxpayer dollars that the National Institutes of Health squanders annually on experiments on animals, calling for the next administration in office to adopt the modern, human-relevant research outlined in PETA scientists’ Research Modernization Deal.
The World Burned on Earth Day
Ahead of Earth Day and in the wake of devastating wildfires in the Texas Panhandle that burned more than 1 million acres and killed two humans, at least 10,000 cows, and untold numbers of wildlife, PETA supporters lit a globe on fire in front of the Amarillo, Texas, city hall to remind everyone of the cause of the destruction—the climate catastrophe fueled by animal agriculture—and call on people to fight back by going vegan.
Twisters Star Glen Powell Was Caught Taking Selfies With PETA’s Anti-Rodeo Advocates
A herd of PETA “cows” spiraled toward the Twisters premiere in Los Angeles to blast the filmmakers for forcing animals to perform in distressing scenes that glorify rodeos. Bearing signs that read, “Calves’ Necks Are Twisted at Rodeos,” the animal allies called on Universal Pictures to stop glamorizing animal abuse. The film’s star, Glen Powell, was even seen taking selfies in front of our bold signs.
Canine Defenders Left the Westminster Dog Show in Cuffs
While protesting the “Best in Show” presentation at the Westminster Dog Show, three PETA supporters—including one who was carrying a sign urging everyone to “boycott breeders”—were arrested.
PETA and Stella McCartney Took Protests to a Whole Nude Level
During New York Fashion Week, PETA supporters and Stella McCartney representatives stripped down to lay bare a bold message: It’s about f*cking time to end the use of leather. The risqué display kicked off in the window of McCartney’s flagship store in SoHo, where actor Caylee Cowan and other animal allies gathered—covered only by strategically placed signs reading, “No Leather Ever.”
Ethiopian Airlines Faced Turbulence at International Airports Over Cruel Monkey Imports
PETA’s “monkey transporters” in hazmat suits wheeled a crate of screaming “monkeys” through the Ethiopian Airlines terminal at the Atlanta International Airport. Ethiopian Airlines is one of the last remaining major airlines to transport laboratory-bound monkeys. The carrier, which appears to have ties to an alleged illegal international monkey-smuggling ring, subjects these endangered animals to long, grueling flights before they’re sold for experimentation.
Coach Was Confronted With a ‘Bloody’ Display on Black Friday
On “Free the Animals” Friday—our bold “Black Friday” action campaign—PETA protesters equipped with a giant “bloody cow” head confronted Coach over the brand’s cruel use of leather.
A Giant Chained ‘Monkey’ Crashed Whole Foods’ CEO’s Birthday
This year, PETA celebrated a huge victory: The 365 by Whole Foods Market brand coconut milk supplier no longer abuses monkeys through forced labor. This major win came after four damning PETA exposés and many spirited demonstrations across the country. For Whole Foods CEO Jason Buechel’s birthday, we planned something special: an all-out protest outside his lavish high-rise condo, complete with a cake, an 8-foot-tall inflatable monkey, and “Wanted” posters.
A Bull Defender Charged the Field at Copa América
While millions of eyes were on the soccer match between Mexico and Ecuador at Copa América—the colossal international soccer tournament that stands second only to the FIFA World Cup—a PETA Latino “bull” charged onto the field to call on both countries to ban bloody bullfighting.
A ‘Pig’ Was Arrested for Disrupting an ASPCA Event
PETA ambushed the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ Annual Humane Awards Luncheon to condemn the group for endorsing deceptive welfare certifications by remaining on the board of the Global Animal Partnership (G.A.P.) and propping up meat, egg, and dairy factory farms. Near the end of our protest, the energy surged as our costumed “pig” attempted to chain himself to the gala doors. The next month, at the Humane Society of the United States’ fundraiser, a PETA “pig” was arrested by police while protesting against the group’s affiliation with G.A.P.
Protestors Held a ‘Blood Dump’ at a Vet Clinic Over Ties to Hellhole Animal Blood Bank
Victory! After a hard-hitting exposé, peaceful protests, and e-mails from more than 50,000 PETA supporters, BluePearl Pet Hospital and VCA Animal Hospitals have cut ties with The Veterinarians’ Blood Bank, where emaciated and sick dogs were kept in barren surroundings for life and used as living blood bags.
‘Orcas’ in Shackles Made a Splash for Corky the Orca
A pod of PETA supporters—led by two bodypainted “orcas” in shackles—caused a stir at the San Diego International Airport baggage claim in behalf of Corky, an orca imprisoned at SeaWorld. The protesters called on SeaWorld to release the long-suffering orca into a seaside sanctuary.
Pharrell Was Urged to Leave Animals in Peace, Not Pieces
PETA supporters crashed the Toronto International Film Festival during the screenings of Pharrell Williams’ Lego-animated biopic, Piece by Piece, to blast the singer for using wild-animal skins and furs in his Louis Vuitton collections. During a post-screening speaking panel, one protester called out the Louis Vuitton men’s creative director with a bold sign that read, “Pharrell: Stop Supporting Killing Animals for Fashion.”
Celebrity ‘Cowborg’ Charli XC Cow Mooved Crowds in NYC
On the heels of “brat summer,” PETA’s bovine bot Charli XC Cow made her debut in the Big Apple to expose something that’s rotten to its core: the leather industry. She encouraged passersby to have compassion for cows 365 days of the year by choosing vegan leather and letting animals keep their skin. Curious crowds gathering around Charli were asked: “Are you wearing my mother?”
Legendary Chef Babette Davis Made a ‘Grande’ Gesture at Starbucks
This year, PETA’s piping hot campaign against Starbucks achieved its goal when the company decided to end its ludicrous vegan milk upcharge. Our vigorous efforts included Starbucks sit-ins, letters from hundreds of thousands of our supporters, and appeals from Sir Paul McCartney and actor James Cromwell. On International Women’s Day (March 8), legendary celebrity vegan chef and 74-year-old grandmother chef Babette Davis superglued her hand to a counter of a Starbucks store in Inglewood, California.
A 20-Foot-Tall ‘Elephant’ Urged the Sharon Shrine Circus to End Cruel Animal Acts
While tailing the Sharon Shrine circus across East Texas, PETA displayed a 20-foot-tall tear-stained inflatable elephant covered with gashes and chained to a sign reading, “Elephants Beaten and Chained for Shrine Circuses.” As cars rolled past our miserable elephant at every stop, PETA supporters distributed hundreds of leaflets and “captivity activity” booklets for children to color in order to inform all attendees about animal abuse at the Sharon Shrine circus.
Feeling Inspired? Join Us!
Our show-stopping demonstrations made headlines this year—and we’re ready to bring that same energy to bear in 2025. If these actions inspire you, join your local PETA Action Team. We’ll send you a free activist starter kit, help you network with our supporters, and send you invitations to join PETA protests in your area.
