PETA Plans Mock Slaughter Protest at Tuscaloosa Raising Cane’s Opening Monday

PETA plans to stage a graphic protest outside the grand opening of Tuscaloosa's new Raising Cane's location Monday, with a demonstrator depicting a mock chicken being "slaughtered" to protest the poultry industry.

According to a press release from the animal rights organization, PETA supporters will hang a woman upside down and simulate slitting her throat outside the restaurant at 1241 McFarland Boulevard East at 9 a.m. Monday, the same day the new location holds its grand opening celebration.

PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - says the display is intended to illustrate how chickens are killed for meat.

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Dani Duffy, a PETA spokesperson, spoke to the Thread Thursday ahead of the protest and said it's graphic for a reason - to catch attention, start conversations, and make people consider a meat-free lifestyle.

"We hope that when people see our demonstrations, it gives them a moment to think about the individual animals that are suffering behind their meals and choose a vegan option instead," Duffy said.  "Just like any other social justice movement, using powerful visuals really gets people talking, right? So if our demonstration causes someone to think about where their food came from, then it's working."

Duffy said PETA understands that Cane's is hardly the first or only fried chicken place in Tuscaloosa, but said with a crowd expected at the grand opening festivities Monday, PETA sees the opportunity to reach a large group at once - a strategy they've deployed at many other protests globally.

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"It's never been easier to find vegan options than it is today. Fast food chains like Burger King offer the Impossible Burger. Taco Bell has dozens of vegan options, and at the grocery store, you can find pretty much any type of vegan food you'd like. There's options like Just Chicken, Gardein's Chicken Tenders, Beyond Chicken Nuggets, and so many other delicious vegan meats. It's so easy to enjoy the taste of the dishes we love, but without all the cruelty," she said. "And I'll also add that vegan diets are one of the healthiest things that you can do for your body. Vegans are less likely to suffer from heart disease, cancer, and other health issues like diabetes. You can get everything you need, all of the protein, carbs, and nutrients, from a vegan diet."

PETA said the demonstration is meant to argue that chickens experience pain and fear in ways comparable to humans, and criticized industry practices, including overcrowded housing conditions and slaughterhouse methods that the group says can leave birds conscious during processing. The organization is offering a free vegan starter kit to anyone interested in changing their diet.

"Just like any other animal, chickens form friendships, they love their families, and they feel joy and pain. So if we wouldn't eat something like a dog or another animal, then we should really consider how we shouldn't be eating chickens, or any other animal," Duffy said.

As the Thread previously reported, the new Raising Cane's location is holding its grand opening Monday with a full slate of festivities beginning at 8 a.m., including a drawing where 20 people will win free Cane's for a year, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, an appearance from University of Alabama mascot Big Al, and a $2,000 donation to the West Alabama Food Bank.

Doors to the restaurant open at 10 a.m.

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