Giant Pothole Could Get a Fix—and a Pro-Vegan Ad—From PETA
Will Offer to New Orleans Mayor Pave the Way to a Healthier City?
For Immediate Release:
August 15, 2014
Contact:
Alexis Sadoti 202-483-7382
A gigantic, cave-like pothole in Hollygrove has prompted an unusual offer from PETA this morning: The group—whose motto reads, in part, “Animals are not ours to eat”—would like to explore covering the cost of filling in the pothole in exchange for permission to cover the repaired roadway with a pro-vegan ad. The ad, available for preview here, features the silhouette of a curvaceous woman holding a sign that reads, “Word on the Street: Go Vegan. PETA”
“Accepting PETA’s offer would result in a win-win situation. Not only would it help make the street safer and give the city’s budget a boost, it would also help pave the way to a healthier New Orleans,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “Going vegan is an easy way for Big Easy residents to lose weight and reduce their risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, all while keeping animals off the road to the slaughterhouse.”
In the letter, PETA points out that the New Orleans–Metairie-Kenner region was ranked fourth on Gallup’s list of the most obese major U.S. communities in 2014 but that on average, vegans are 18 percent thinner than meat-eaters are, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. So encouraging residents to switch to wholesome vegan foods would be a great way to help the Big Easy’s residents lose weight and improve their health.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.
PETA’s letter to New Orleans Mayor Mitchell J. Landrieu follows.
August 15, 2014
The Honorable Mitchell J. Landrieu
Mayor of New Orleans
Dear Mr. Landrieu:
I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and our more than 3 million members and supporters, including thousands across Louisiana, regarding the pothole at the corner of Joliet and Olive streets. We’d like to explore having PETA cover the cost of repairing the hole in exchange for stenciling our sexy pro-vegan ad on the new pavement. The ad features a silhouette of a curvaceous woman holding a sign that reads, “Word on the Street: Go Vegan. PETA.”
Our offer is a win-win. Not only would it help make the street safer and give the city’s budget a boost, it would also help pave the way to a healthier New Orleans. The New Orleans–Metairie-Kenner region was ranked fourth on Gallup’s list of the most obese major U.S. communities in 2014, so encouraging residents to switch to wholesome vegan foods would be a great way to help the Big Easy’s residents lose weight and improve their health. On average, vegans are 18 percent thinner than meat-eaters are, and according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, vegetarians are less prone to obesity as well as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes than their meat-eating counterparts are.
Taking us up on our offer would also help keep animals off the road to the slaughterhouse. During transport, pigs, chickens, and cows are commonly forced to travel hundreds of miles through all weather extremes with no food or water. At slaughter, they often have their throats slit and are dismembered while they are still conscious. Every person who goes vegan after seeing our ad will save more than 100 animals every year from these abuses.
I look forward to speaking with you to fill in the details.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Alicia Woempner
Special Projects Manager
