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They're Hatin' It: PETA Holding Anti-McNugget Protest Saturday Outside an Echo Park McDonald's
When it comes to the Golden Arches, young activists from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are "hatin' it," says the group's youth division manager.
To make their presence known in their new neighborhood, peta2--which has just relocated to Echo Park from Norfolk, Virginia--has a big protest slated for Saturday. The over 200 young protesters, including two in chicken costumes, will surround the McDonald's on Glendale Boulevard to voice their objection to the otherwise beloved McNugget.
"These kids refuse to stand by while birds are boiled alive," explains peta2's Manager Mara Holmberg via an email release. "McDonald's bigwigs could stop the most flagrant abuse that these birds suffer, but—so far—they have refused to act."
Peta2 has a whole "McCruelty" action campaign for youth (and a kids campaign, too, for the swingset activist set). Here's how they explain why McNuggets are McNasty:
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Representing unhealthy food, obese kids, and cruelty to animals, many thought that Ronald McDonald's creepy image couldn't get any worse—until they found out that chickens killed to end up in McDonald's "happy" meals endure suffering like something out of a nightmare. Birds are handled carelessly; dumped out of transport crates, causing injury; and hung upside down in shackles, causing stress and injury—before having their throats cut while they're still conscious. Many birds are then dumped into tanks of scalding-hot water while they are still alive and able to feel pain.
Here's the PETA-produced video about McDonald's chicken:
Confronted with similar protests by PETA in SoCal the past, McDonald's reps have said the group's claims are "grossly inaccurate."
Remember the 80s, when McNuggets were cute and fun?
The peta2 protest happens at 5 p.m. Saturday (April 7).
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