From ‘Tempe’ to ‘Tempeh’: Will Mayor Woods ‘Gobble’ Up PETA’s Thanksgiving Name Change Request?

For Immediate Release:
November 18, 2024

Contact:
Nicole Perreira 202-483-7382

In time for Thanksgiving, PETA sent a letter to Tempe Mayor Corey D. Woods this morning with a pro-turkey proposal: Change the city’s name to Tempeh for the day to encourage residents to revamp their holiday feasts and give turkeys and other animals a break. Offering to donate delicious vegan roasts if Woods agrees to the tempehrary switch, PETA notes that the promotion of protein-packed tempeh—which is made from fermented soybeans—can improve human health, too, as soy-based foods are full of nutrients that help lower the risk of cancer, diabetes, and other health problems.

“Turkeys are feeling individuals who love their families and value their lives, and they don’t want to be carved up and stuffed any more than we do,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “By taking up PETA’s simple suggestion to add an ‘h,’ Tempe could represent healthy and humane eating for all this Thanksgiving and beyond.”

In nature, turkeys spend their days caring for their young, building nests, foraging for food, taking dust baths, and roosting in trees—but 46 million are killed each year for Thanksgiving alone. Workers hang the young birds upside down, drag them through an electrified bath, slit their throats, and dump them into scalding-hot water in defeathering tanks—often while they’re still conscious.

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. PETA 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 PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to Woods follows.

November 18, 2024

The Honorable Corey D. Woods

Mayor of Tempe

Dear Mayor Woods:

Greetings! 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 thousands in Arizona—with a tempehting suggestion that we hope you’ll gobble up: For Thanksgiving this year, would you please consider adding an “h” to Tempe for the day so that the city is called “Tempeh”? The late Bob Barker, the famous TV host, made a similar request to a town in New Mexico, which is still getting mileage out of changing its name to Truth or Consequences. This playful switch would be a great way to encourage residents to opt for an animal-free Thanksgiving, a holiday meant to celebrate kindness and gratitude.

As you probably know, tempeh is a plant-based, protein-packed superfood made from fermented soybeans. Not only is it cholesterol-free, it’s also rich in vitamin B₁₂, fiber, calcium, and iron. Plus, it’s got all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete source of protein. Soy has also bean shown to fight against cancer, lower blood pressure, protect heart health, and reduce inflammation. To put it soyccinctly: Tempeh is a soysational food!

While tempeh and other soy products promote good health, like it or not, turkey flesh does the opposite. Research shows that eating turkey can trigger arthritis and increase the risk of suffering from cancer, diabetes, and obesity. In fact, ever-more Americans are opting for meat-free celebrations for ethical, environmental, or health reasons, with nearly 10 million vegetarians in the U.S. alone. As such, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to encourage Tempe residents to try a tempeh roast and other delicious dishes like creamy dairy-free mashed potatoes and mouthwatering vegan pumpkin pie.

By adding just one letter to your city’s name for even a day, you’d be encouraging Tempe(h)ans to celebrate “ThanksVegan.” If you decide to make the switch, we’d be soy happy to partner with the city and to donate delicious vegan roasts. Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to your response.

Very truly yours,

Ingrid Newkirk 

President