Please see the following statement from PETA Vice President Shalin Gala regarding the new revelation that the founder and benefactor of Johns Hopkins University enslaved humans:
Now that Johns Hopkins University is reckoning with the disturbing revelation that its namesake founder and benefactor enslaved humans, we urge the school to redouble its efforts to make amends with the African American community and also to use this moment of reflection to reconsider its present-day abusive treatment of animals in its laboratories, who—like humans who were enslaved—are forced to suffer in silence. At Johns Hopkins, Shreesh Mysore conducts horrific brain experiments on barn owls that involve attaching bolts to their skulls in order to hold their heads in a fixed position, locking them in restraining devices for up to 12 hours at a time, clamping their eyes open, and bombarding them with noises and lights to observe their reactions. The birds are eventually killed. It’s high time for the university to recognize that enslavement is wrong, no matter which sentient species is imprisoned.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to experiment on”— opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org.
President-elect Joe Biden’s secretary of agriculture nominee is Tom Vilsack, who held the same position for eight years under President Barack Obama. During that time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) failed miserably to enforce even the minimum standards of the federal Animal Welfare Act.
Under Vilsack, the USDA consistently prioritized the commercial interests of animal-exploiting businesses over taking meaningful action to stop the blatant mistreatment of animals. This dereliction of duty is why PETA and animal rights proponents across the country consider his tenure under Obama to have been disastrous.
Who Is Tom Vilsack?
As the current president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council, Vilsack has ties to the dairy industry that are highly objectionable to the growing number of Americans who are vegan and to everyone concerned about the unchecked spread of COVID-19 in slaughterhouses.
On Vilsack’s watch, the USDA allowed Ringling Bros. circus to force arthritic elephants to perform, left abused tiger cubs to suffer in the filthy cages of “Joe Exotic,” permitted laboratories to keep highly social monkeys in solitary confinement, and turned a blind eye to violations of law. If the agency continues with business as usual—serving the interests of circuses, laboratories, roadside zoos, slaughterhouses, and puppy mills that it now considers customers—animals will suffer greatly.
PETA challenges Mr. Vilsack to prove his many critics wrong by committing to enforcing animal protection laws as if lives depended on it—because they do.
Take Action for Animals!
To help end public contact with and private breeding and possession of tigers and other big cats, let your senators know that you support the Big Cat Public Safety Act (S2561), which would bring an end to private ownership of dangerous big cats, safeguarding both animals and communities across the U.S.
PETA is nonpartisan. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization, we’re prohibited by IRS regulations from endorsing a particular candidate or party. We do, however, work with legislators of all party affiliations and recognize the accomplishments of politicians who have helped pass laws protecting animals, regardless of their party.
After seeing local restaurants close during the pandemic, one vegan activist stepped up to support small businesses and feed those in need. She started Support + Feed, a charity that has been named PETA’s 2020 Company of the Year. It won in honor of the inspirational and innovative way it helps vegan restaurants stay afloat while also offering free animal-friendly meals to first responders and other vulnerable people.
Founder Maggie Baird raised her kids as vegetarians because eating “plant-based is one of the major ways that people can save the planet and live cruelty-free.” Now her whole family is veganand they pitch in to help with the company, too. Of course, Baird is not the only star in her family, as her two vegan children are award-winning pop stars: Billie Eilish and FINNEAS.
“I am honored to be able to call attention to these local businesses, who … are trying to make the world a better place.”
The company has served more than 50,000 vegan meals to date—that’s a lot of love on a plate. It’s helping the hunger crisis with kindness, as all of its meals are free. Support + Feed always serves with a smile.
The food initiative offers meals prepared by vegan restaurants to those who need them the most, including BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) households, first responders, and homeless shelters. Support + Feed runs entirely off donations, which go directly to funding plant-based businesses and serving those in need.
The company coordinates with charities to turn donations into dinners. It delivers nutritious and delicious meals in four major U.S. cities: Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. The company picks up chef-crafted meals from vegan restaurants and takes them to donation centers across the cities it serves.
Volunteers then deliver meals to nourish local communities, which are informed about veganism as they eat: Every meal comes with free resources on the benefits of being vegan. (Check out PETA’s guide here!) And big-name vegan brands are taking note. Beyond Meat, Daiya, and Follow Your Heart have donated to fund thousands of meal deliveries.
You can help feed marginalized people across the country by donating to Support + Feed’s partner restaurants. Some of our favorites are Veggie Grill in Los Angeles, praised by celebrities and kids alike, and PLNT Burger in D.C., a tasty chain for all your fast-food cravings.
Why These Grammy Winners Love PETA’s Company of the Year
Eilish and FINNEAS have won more than a few Grammys and countless other awards and are still their mother’s biggest cheerleaders. After the family delivered meals to hospital nurses on Mother’s Day, FINNEAS gave his mother the sweetest shout-out:
“All values and qualities I aspire to possess and uphold are yours mom. If anyone can change the world, it’s you.”
As a champion of animal rights with a big heart, Eilish loves Support + Feed, too. She takes after her mom in being an outspoken animal activist. Among her many accolades is one from PETA—she won an Animal Liberation Award last year.
Go Vegan as if Your Life Depends on It—Because It Does
The current pandemic won’t be the last. We must do everything in our power to stop the transmission of animal-borne pathogens at the source, and the most effective way is to go vegan. Support + Feed sets an example that we all can follow, by taking personal responsibility for our world.
Cutting animal-derived products out of your life can prevent future pandemics and is the single best thing you can do for animals and your health. Plus, you’ll do your part to slow the climate crisis. If you’re not sure how to start, order PETA’s vegan starter kit. It’s the best holiday present you could give to yourself (and it’s free!). In the words of FINNEAS, “[I]t’s honestly so criminally easy to be vegan right now you have no excuse not to.”
You can save the lives of nearly 200 animals a year by going vegan. Check out PETA’s two-week meal plan to kick-start a healthy and kind lifestyle.
It won in honor of the inspirational and innovative way it helps vegan restaurants stay afloat while also offering free animal-friendly meals to first responders and other vulnerable people.