Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Bikini-clad beauty to defend chickens

You've got to hand it to PETA. Its message is left of the mainstream, but the animal-rights group is rigorous in its media outreach and practical in its persistent use of sex appeal as a way of delivering its message. For an example, here are details from a news release for an event slated for tomorrow:

Hot Chick Protests KFC's Cold-Hearted Farming Practices

What: Wearing a sexy yellow bikini and holding a sign that reads, "KFC Tortures Chicks," sultry PETA member Ashley Byrne will lead a protest outside a Providence KFC restaurant over KFC suppliers' abusive treatment of chickens in factory farms and slaughterhouses, while other PETA members hand out leaflets.

The more than 850 million chickens killed each year for KFC are tortured in ways that would result in felony cruelty-to-animals charges if other animals were the victims. They are drugged and bred to grow so large that many become crippled from the weight of their massive upper bodies. Many have their throats slit while they are still conscious and are scalded to death in defeathering tanks. KFC ignored recommendations for animal welfare improvements made by members of its own advisory panel, including five who have since resigned in frustration.

"I'll 'heat' things up a little to help customers see exactly what cold-hearted KFC does to make birds' lives and deaths painful," says Ashley. "Lots of kind people will go find another place to eat when they see our video and hear our appeal."

Where: KFC, 805 N. Main St., Providence

When: Wednesday, August 22, 3:30 p.m.