Animal Rights Group Unleashes “Hell on Wheels” Truck Ahead of White House Turkey Pardon
As the White House prepares for its annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon tradition, an animal rights group is taking to the streets of Washington D.C. to spread a powerful message. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has deployed its “Hell on Wheels” turkey truck, a life-sized transportation truck covered in images of sickly turkeys, to urge people to go vegan.
The truck, which has been traveling to 30 states since October, will stop at grocery stores, busy downtown areas, and eventually the presidential turkey pardon. Outside the Willard Hotel, where the turkeys being pardoned will be housed, the truck is displaying a subliminal message urging people to go vegan every 10 seconds.
PETA’s Amanda Brody, assistant manager in the international grassroots campaigns department, explained the truck’s purpose: “Every turkey is an individual. No one needs to eat meat, dairy or eggs to be healthy, and everyone can help stop this needless suffering by simply going vegan today or enjoying a vegan roast at their Thanksgiving dinner this Thursday.”
PETA President Ingrid Newkirk has also sent a letter to President Biden, urging him to cancel the “wretched” turkey pardon tradition, which she describes as a “humiliating meat-industry stunt.” Newkirk argues that turkeys are treated as unfeeling objects in the meat industry, crammed into filthy sheds and slaughtered while still conscious.
The presidential turkey pardon tradition is a long-standing one, with some believing it began as far back as 1863 with President Abraham Lincoln, while others suggest it started later with President Harry S. Truman. The tradition was formalized in 1989 by President George H.W. Bush.
As the “Hell on Wheels” truck continues to spread its message, it remains to be seen whether it will have an impact on the tradition or on the public’s perception of the meat industry.