Friends of Animals Reject Use of "Real-Sexy Ladies" as Activism
Press Release
July 31, 2008
Comments as posted on Facebook as of August 04, 2008
It sounded something like the opening of a strip club: a PETA press release lured media to a scene on 31 July that promised: "Real-Sexy Lettuce Ladies Hand Out KFC's Faux-Chicken Sandwiches in Victoria" and added: "Bikini-Clad Beauties Celebrate First Fast-Food Soy Chicken."
The release said the appearance of this sandwich "follows a landmark agreement" between PETA the firm that manages chicken purchases for KFC in Canada.
The agreement that ends the animal-husbandry watchgroup's boycott of KFC in Canada means the birds' bodies will now come from "suppliers that use controlled-atmosphere killing" -- gas chambers, bluntly. PETA and the chicken purveyors will also form an "animal welfare advisory panel" in order to "reduce broken bones and other injuries" and to monitor lighting, cage dimensions, ammonia levels, and breeding.
How obscene that the word "welfare" is used in a scenario where chickens are needlessly killed.
"Chickens killed for Canadian KFCs will be afforded better lives and gentler
deaths," said a PETA spokesperson in the release -- without clearly saying we need not consume birds or other animals at all. So vegan food is relegated to the status of a mere option.
On top of this, PETA tried to make a spectacle of animal activism by using tired conceptions of female activists as sex objects.
They did not succeed. Dedicated supporters joined Friends of Animals on Wednesday, making their point known. The deliberate objectification of one group of humans by others is part of the broader dynamic of domination that enables people to objectify other animals as well -- to see them as body parts that can be commodified and consumed for another's pleasure.
And indeed, by celebrating adjustments in the way chickens are treated as products and killed, PETA employees display an alarming lack of respect for the very beings whose cause they purport to advocate.
Friends of Animals say to Canadian seekers of social progress and animal rights: Steer clear of KFC. Support your local vegan restaurants. They need you.
23 comments
|
Benjamin Payne ( Australia) wrote
at 9:12pm on July 31st, 2008
Has KFC entered into some sort of paid 'agreement' with PETA to help promote their new menu item as well? It wouldn't surprise me. |
|
|
|
Lee Hall wrote
at 9:33pm on July 31st, 2008
You could see how they'd want to try to save a bit of face with some of their followers, at least until the next distraction. What were they going to say, we've stopped the boycott, now go over there, folks, and eat some, um, what? Maybe we could set up a group to take bets on how long that new menu item lasts... |
|
|
|
Jessica MacLachlan ( Vancouver, BC) wrote
at 10:04pm on July 31st, 2008
Too bad there were not more of us out there.
It was interesting to hear and see the reactions of the public. Talked with the PETA ladies a bit as well... |
|
|
|
Benjamin Payne ( Australia) wrote
at 12:09am on August 1st, 2008
What sort of reaction did you receive from them? |
|
|
Dave Shishkoff ( Vancouver, BC) wrote
at 12:19am on August 1st, 2008
A lot of people driving by were laughing at the 'LL' women. Others staring, honking, hollering.
It was an embarrassment that this had anything to do with animal rights or veganism.. |
|
|
Geneviève Lyons ( Vancouver, BC) wrote
at 12:19am on August 1st, 2008
I just can't comprehend Ingrid's and Peta's actions in this agreement? Was there a large sum of money involved? The new menu won't last just like it didn't at Burger King and McDonald's. Because a lot vegetarians don't eat processed crap (at least I don't) and when you buy a veggie burger or faux chicken burger at these fast food places you are giving them your money and supporting a company who tortures and kills non-human animals. |
|
|
Dave Shishkoff ( Vancouver, BC) wrote
at 12:21am on August 1st, 2008
Big thank you to Niilo, Sherry and Jess for their help painting the signs, and especially to Jess and Marlett for coming out for the demo. I think we represented well, and showed that not all vegans and animal rights people think this way. |
|
|
Jessica MacLachlan ( Vancouver, BC) wrote
at 3:27am on August 1st, 2008
-Benjamin
One man came up to me and referred to the PETA women in a rather derogatory fashion.... but did not talk like this to their faces.
As for how we were received, I think people saw that PETA’s whole promotion was a joke and were able to grasp how others would take issue with what PETA was doing.
It was raining a bit and those women were cold (I asked and they said yes.) They said they “could not wait to get changed”.... Yet there they stood out in the rain, because they knew that they would not be doing their job if they put a jacket on. |
|
|
Benjamin Harper ( New York, NY) wrote
at 9:34am on August 1st, 2008
Wow, that's one of the dumbest things I've ever heard of. KFC puts a sandwich on the menu and now PeTA is happy? Ingrid Newkirk can kiss my ass. |
|
|
Niilo John Van Steinburg ( University of Victoria) wrote
at 2:04pm on August 1st, 2008
I'm sorry to disappoint you, Benjamin, but Ingrid's lips are currently latched onto the derrière of KFC Canada.
I'm happy that we were able to intercept this ridiculous marketing campaign by PeTA on behalf of KFC here in Victoria. Thanks, Dave, for being on top of this, and everyone who helped out (especially those who took time out of their day to attend).
Yes, it is very sad that we need to do this at all. Having to clean up the mess that organizations like PeTA (People for the Economic Treatment of Animals?) make is taking away opportunities to make truly positive strides in the animal rights movement. But we must do it - their taint is everywhere, confusing the public and reinforcing outdated beliefs about the use of animals (in this case, non-human AND human animals). |
|
|
Niilo John Van Steinburg ( University of Victoria) wrote
at 4:45pm on August 1st, 2008
And, another thought, this sort of conflict will give anti-AR zealots something to point at when denouncing animal rights. "Look, even the AR people can't agree!" The sooner we debunk PeTA as AR, the better. |
|
|
Niilo John Van Steinburg ( University of Victoria) wrote
at 5:58pm on August 1st, 2008
Despite the usual media attempt at sensationalism ("vegan vs vegan!" - are those girls actually vegan?) it had an excellent ending:
> “In Victoria, we have two vegan restaurants -- why aren’t
> they telling people to go and eat there?” he asked.
Good job, Dave. |
|
|
Lee Hall wrote
at 6:00pm on August 1st, 2008
The PETA rep is quoted, "In today’s media market, sex sells and cruelty to animals is not something most people really want to think about.”
So the person is still more degraded by being expected to stand on display in a cold drizzle and say "sex sells"; and PETA claims to have standing to opine about cruelty. Then there's the regulation of the birds' breeding, confinement, and death. What's the message? That's uncruel?
PETA is lost in corporate fetishism. This hasn't a thing to do with AR; it spits in the face of AR. |
|
|
Lee Hall wrote
at 6:10pm on August 1st, 2008
We've all tried the Lotus Pond for lunch, tea, supper... it's reasonably priced and has enjoyable food and an attentive staff. Let's share the address and ask VicNews.com to cover truly vegan issues and venues. |
|
|
Grant Smith ( Washington, DC) wrote
at 8:51pm on August 1st, 2008
As a PETA member and vegan, I must say I'm a bit concerned about this development.
While I can appreciate PETA's willingness to consider the arrival of a faux chicken sandwich in a major fast food chain to be a victory, I am troubled that this was achieved at great cost. Now, KFC can claim that it is more compassionate by offering a vegetarian option on its menu, but the birds continue to suffer. |
|
|
Niilo John Van Steinburg ( University of Victoria) wrote
at 1:28am on August 2nd, 2008
Yes, PeTA is using your membership money to promote what I can only assume is the biggest killer of chickens in Canada. What hard work did KFC Canada have to do for this wonderful prize? Why, say that they will some day institute reforms that really have no impact on chicken lives and that KFC would implement to cut operational costs anyway. 'Landmark' indeed.
I got sucked into supporting PeTA in the past. Never again. |
|
|
Lee Hall wrote
at 1:54am on August 2nd, 2008
All the undercover investigations into KFC they (and Compassion Over Killing) have been having...One need simply open the cover of any of those red and white buckets to see dead, desecrated and dismembered birds. |
|
|
Dave Shishkoff ( Vancouver, BC) wrote
at 2:08am on August 2nd, 2008
Someone posted the following from another message board, part of it is pretty interesting, tho PETA would never give up 'AR'.
===
I wonder if we are witnessing the further evolution of this thing called the "animal rights movement"? In a sense, rights-based anti-PeTA demonstrations would mark a maturity in the movement's philosophical stance.
This is especially important, perhaps, in the USA where PeTA is thought of as AR's foremost representative whereas, in truth, PeTA have always favoured the progressive utilitarian welfarism of Peter Singer and have marginalised rights-based philosophy from the 1980s onwards.
I hope that PeTA will be prepared to relinquish the name "animal rights" to rights-based advocates (seems only fair to me). I notice that the reaction on several forums to the Canadian campaign as been negative and more and more journalists are now describing PeTA as an animal welfare group. |
|
|
Lee Hall wrote
at 3:45am on August 2nd, 2008
Yet the term "welfare" is also incorrect for what they and Singer are promoting. As the FoA release (above) states, to let the company use the word "welfare" when these birds are bred unnecessarily, commodified, confined, and gassed - no, let's not permit these people (KFC or PETA) to claim they have done a damned thing for the animals' welfare. This is a husbandry consultation. Calling it just that will be part of the evolution of the animal-rights movement.
"People for the Economic Treatment of Animals?"
That's about right. |
|
|
Cara Hunt ( University of Victoria) wrote
at 10:41am on August 2nd, 2008
I am getting in late on the discussion, but enjoying everyone's thoughts. Thanks! Also, a HUGE thank you to the three who represented those of us vegans in Victoria. I am sorry I could not make it, but so thankful you were there to counter PETA's lame message! |
|
|
Julie Muir wrote
at 3:33pm on August 2nd, 2008
Me too I am sorry i could not join the protest. I'm so glad to hear it sent out some ripples of awareness. Cheers to Dave & others involved! |
|
|
Niilo John Van Steinburg ( University of Victoria) wrote
at 3:09pm yesterday
Heh, I'm pleased with the coverage this has gained. My landlord (an animal ethics professor) just asked me about this, as he has colleagues in Florida and Ireland blogging about it. I've also had two (non-vegan) friends ask me about it, since they read about it in the local news. |
|
The activists and supporters of Friends of Animals advocate for the right of animals to live free, on their own terms.
If you would like to join us at Facebook click here
