Cycle Massachusetts, a pro-bicycling organization in Cambridge, Massacusetts, is the latest nonprofit to promote the consumption of pigs as a way of drawing attention to an otherwise worthy issue--in this case, cycling. Pigs are no less intelligent, emotionally complex, or as individuated as cats or dogs or other mammals, yet they have become the "go to" kill animal for nonprofit organizations trying to promote their causes.
Please write a short, respectful note to Cyclema.com (info@CycleMA.com), asking them why celebrating the killing and eating of pigs is a pro-cycling value, and urging them to cancel the "Bacon Ride." ( If you are a cyclist in the Boston area, also tell them you will be boycotting their event, and explain why.) Explain that 99% of pigs are raised on factory farms, in horrific conditions that leave them severely disabled, diseased, and suffering. Even pigs raised on smaller organic farms often are fully or partially conscious as their throats are slit and they bleed to death in terror.
To Bruce Lederer, Tour Director, Cycle Massachusetts:
Dear Mr. Lederer:
We applaud you for helping to raise awareness about the benefits of bicycling in the Bay State. However, we are puzzled and saddened that you and Cycle Massachusetts have decided to promote the consumption of pigs as a way of drawing attention to an otherwise worthy issue (cycling), with your Boston Bacon Ride on June 13.
In your advertisements for the Ride, you depict anthropomorphized, smiling pigs--as though they are happy to die for us. Yet even pigs raised on smaller organic farms often are fully or partially conscious as their throats are slit and they bleed to death in terror. Why must you link cycling with violence against animals in this way?
Pigs are no less intelligent, emotionally complex, or as individuated as cats or dogs or other mammals. 99% of pigs are raised on factory farms, in horrific conditions that leave them severely disabled, diseased, and suffering.
We urge you to cancel this event, and to issue a press release disavowing any connection between cycling and the killing and consumption of pigs.
