People for the
Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India,
chose Panjim city to make a public call for compassion in the lead up to the
International Day of Peace with a symbolic display to back their call.
On Thursday,
September 20 around 12 pm, near the city’s bustling market, people who happened
to be walking on the Dayanand Bandodkar Marg road were astounded by what they
had just seen. On the public pavement, near Inox Multiplex, was a person lying
on the ground.
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Just ahead of the
International Day of Peace (September 21), a supporter of PETA India, – was
body-painted and dressed as a crab – and was lying on the on a giant plate
alongside an over-sized knife and fork, in a symbolic lifeless state- as a
reminder to passers-by that no one wants to be carved up and served as food.
“Crabs and lobsters
that are callously thrown into boiling water do the same thing that any other
animal would: try frantically to escape. They whip their bodies wildly, scrape
at the sides of the pot, and fight for their lives,” says PETA campaigner
Radhika Suryavanshi. “That’s why PETA India is encouraging people to celebrate
the International Day of Peace by choosing vegan meals – this week and every
other day of the year.”
PETA India – whose
motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat” – points out that
crabs, lobsters, and other crustaceans have pain receptors and the ability to
suffer. They’re often thrown into pots of scalding-hot water and boiled alive.
They fight so hard to avoid this obviously painful death that their claws often
break off in their struggle to escape. Some crustaceans used for food are
chopped up, and others are microwaved – all while they’re still conscious.
“ Fish and shellfish
commonly live in highly polluted environments, causing mercury and other toxins
from the water to accumulate in their bodies. Human exposure to mercury can
result in an increased risk for cancer, heart disease, and even death. The
flesh of most shellfish is very high in cholesterol, so consuming it also
contributes to an elevated risk of heart disease. Cholesterol is found in all
animal-derived foods, whereas plant foods don’t contain any at all. Our bodies
produce all the cholesterol we require, so we don’t need extra from our food ,”
read a statement by PETA India issued to the media.
For
more information, visit PETAIndia.com.
