With the holiday shopping season in full swing, PETA’s larger-than-life sheep, alpaca, cow, and goose puppets will force shoppers to confront whom they are buying outside the stores at Buckhead Village, urging passersby to opt for vegan items and to leave wool, fleece, leather, and down on their original owners.
When: Thursday, December 2, 12 noon
Where: Buckhead Village, 239 Buckhead Ave. (at the intersection with Bolling Way), Atlanta
“When people see that animals don’t want to die for sweaters or shoes, they’re eager to put cruelty-free gifts under the tree,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA is encouraging shoppers to spread kindness this holiday season and always by buying vegan.”
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to wear”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview.
After the Hadi Shrine Circus knowingly used suffering tigers in a circus act on Thanksgiving, PETA sent a letter this morning to John Nelson, potentate of the Hadi Shriners, informing him that the act was unlicensed—violating federal law—and calling on him to commit to hosting only animal-free circuses from now on.
In the days leading up to the circus, PETA notified the Hadi Shriners that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had cited tiger exhibitor Adam Burck for warehousing tigers in cramped travel cages inside a stiflingly hot, maggot-filled barn, as revealed in this new video footage. The Shriners removed Burck from the list of planned circus acts and told the public that an act had been “canned” as a result of the citations, while the USDA canceled Burck’s license to exhibit animals. So when PETA received footage of Burck forcing an elderly tiger to perform at the circus on November 25, it rushed a complaint to Evansville Animal Care & Control, which had the unlicensed act pulled from the circus’s remaining performances.
“The Hadi Shriners knew that tigers had suffered in stench and slop inside Adam Burck’s barn and still let his unlicensed act take center stage at their circus,” says PETA Foundation Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Rachel Mathews. “PETA is calling on the Shriners to learn from this severe lapse in judgment and keep all animal acts out of future circus shows.”
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
PETA’s letter to Nelson follows.
November 30, 2021
John E. Nelson
Illustrious Potentate
Hadi Shriners
Dear Mr. Nelson:
I’m writing on behalf of PETA regarding the Hadi Shrine’s troubling decision to feature tiger exhibitor Adam Burck at its 2021 circus, despite knowing of his recent and egregious citations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for housing tigers in cramped travel cages in a hot, maggot-filled barn. Damning video footage from the inspection shows exactly how these tigers live so that circuses like yours can use them: in filthy crates so small they can barely turn around. Burck’s USDA license was also recently canceled, meaning his exhibition at your circus violated federal law. In light of this preventable and foreseeable incident, PETA urges you to commit to hosting only animal-free circuses going forward.
In the days leading up to this year’s Hadi Shrine Circus, and after learning from PETA about Burck’s history of mistreating the tigers he forces to perform, your organization appeared poised to leave Burck out of the lineup, removing him from the list of planned acts on your website and publicly stating that an act had been “canned” due to USDA citations. Yet PETA received footage of Burck’s Thanksgiving Day performance at your circus, during which he forced the 15-year-old tiger Shere Khan to perform even though he appears unhealthy, with prominent vertebrae. At 3:40 in the footage, the tiger attempts to jump onto a pedestal but slips and falls to the side. He then cowers away from Burck in anticipation of punishment. In confusion, he attempts the jump again and Burck shoves him mid-leap with both hands, knocking him off the pedestal.
Only after PETA alerted Evansville Animal Care and Control to Burck’s illegal performance was his act pulled from the circus. The decision to go forward with Burck’s cruel act—and any animal act—displays a severe lapse in judgment, which exacerbated and prolonged the suffering of these animals. The only way to ensure that no animal is abused on your watch is to remove all animal acts from your future circuses. PETA urges you to take this step to protect animals.
When the temperatures start to dip, you’ll want to bundle up while still making a style statement. It’s a good thing that fashion-forward vegan winter menswear options abound these days. Whether you’re shopping for a new coat, boots, or a backpack, you can stand up for sheep, cows, rabbits, and other animals killed for clothing by supporting vegan fashion.
The Zeppelin coat is a long-line piece that’s sure to become a staple in your winter wardrobe. From Noize’s Tezza & Cole collection, Zeppelin features timeless elements in a modern cut crafted in premium “PETA-Approved Vegan” wool.
Put your foot down on the modern world’s pervasive throwaway culture with these cult classics from the Palladium archives: the Pallashock Re-craft. They’re made with reclaimed cuts of fabric that were destined for the trash combined with a recycled sole construction. The chunky “sneakerboot” silhouette offers a tall, bold look with a futuristic mix of fabrics and textures, and best of all, these boots are “PETA-Approved Vegan.”
This company, a PETA Business Friend, has perfected the chic in a spacey men’s look. The glossy effect is straight from the silver side of the ’80s. The style is trendy and practical, as its vegan materials are waterproof and warm, and it features extra-large pockets.
This jacket is designed with bio-based Sorona insulation that mimics the warmth and feel of down, without hurting animals. Its recycled polyester shell and lining are made from post-consumer plastic bottles for ultimate vegan warmth.
The Bjorn Texon Terra from PETA Business Friend Akkoniq is a minimalist, “PETA-Approved Vegan,” super-light everyday backpack. The biodegradable vegan leather is made of sustainable wood pulp that’s rigid enough to keep its form, no matter what you pack inside.
Need a coat that makes a statement? The Hendrix, designed with warm vegan wool, is a great option. This bold look borrows from timeless peacoat shapes but keeps things contemporary with a removable inner collar. If you’re looking for something that’ll keep you seriously toasty in colder weather, the vegan wool should do the trick. Best of all, it’s certified “PETA-Approved Vegan.”
The ultra-soft fleece used for this vest is made of recycled polyester from post-consumer plastic bottles. The back pocket is a stylish addition, useful for cyclists and other outdoor wanderers.
Men’s knitwear has arrived at the store! The cozy ribbed trim and relaxed, slouchy fit of this PETA U.K. award-winning company’s vegan sweaters will keep you warm and fashionable. They’re made from recycled polyester (from recycled clothes) and recycled cotton.
If you’re looking for a slim, simple wallet, this one might be your ideal solution. Crafted from premium cork, this “PETA-Approved Vegan” minimalist wallet makes it easy to keep your everyday essentials close by.
There’s no hide in it (get it?)—we love the “II” from Brave Gentleman. It’s made with high-tech polyurethane future-leather from Italy, certified by the European Union’s Ecolabel.
This oversized, water-repellent jacket is filled with FLWRDWN, an innovative material made from wildflowers, which keeps you warm without stealing feathers from ducks and geese. It’s from H&M’s partnership with PETA, so you know that it’s made with animals in mind.
When you’re searching for options on the racks or online, keep an eye out for the “PETA-Approved Vegan” logo. For more tips about ensuring that your closet is animal-friendly, check out our guide to vegan fashion:
