SAY NO TO EATING ANIMALS.

Millions of pigs are eaten every year in the US. In factory farms, these highly intelligent animals never see the sun or feel grass beneath their feet, and 6 million breeding females are kept in \tiny gestation and farrowing cages in which they can hardly move for their whole lives. The lack of room to walk or turn around atrophies their muscles, and festering sores on their feet make every movement agony. Each year, 100 million of them go to slaughter at very young ages, and they go in terror.

The New York Times reported that pigs are so terrified by what happens to them in slaughterhouses that a relatively large proportion of them suffer a metabolic condition in which their flesh actually liquefies. This hypermetabolic state generates excessively high temperatures and low pH's that damage muscle cells and can even lead to heart failure. This metabolic meltdown can result in malignant hyperthermia, or "hot death". [When Pigs Stress Out, NY Times, Armelle Casau, October 7, 2003] Of course, this is being reported only because of economic losses of $90 million annually.

The terror these sensitive animals must experience is hard to imagine and beyond cruel. More pigs--who are much smarter than dogs and as smart as the average human 3 year old---than ever before in history are being confined in factory farms and slaughtered in absolute terror. And as factory farm structures decay across the country, more and more piglets are falling through the rusted wires to slowly drown in the pig waste below.

Protest for the Pigs at BU Monday Evening!

WHAT: Protest for the Pigs at the 2nd Annual "Taste of Elegance" at Boston University. Here is the smarmy blurb about the event: "Join in the fun as ten of Boston's top chefs compete to showcase their creativity and the versatility of cooking with pork. Each chef will offer their best pork dish for you and your friends to try. At the end of the evening, the best chef will win awards for 'Best Pork Dish' and 'Crowd Favorite.' The winner will travel to Florida to compete in a National Competition; last year Jason Santos took home top honors-see if he can repeat his 'pork-formance' !"

WHERE: The Showroom at 808 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, located at the corner of Essex Street and Commonwealth right across from the BU Bridge. The Green Line subway runs up Commonwealth and Kenmore Square is several blocks away. Go to http://www.bu.edu/visit/maps/campus/index.html

WHEN: Monday evening, January 29; 6:00-7:00pm

RSVP/INFO: rayshick@msn.com or just answer this email or just show up. Weather dependent event. Check for postponement email or call our cell at 978-257-7062 Monday. Signs, literature & handwarmers/ footwarmers provided.


DIRECTIONS: The Showroom at 808 Commonwealth Avenue is an old several story automobile showroom located at the corner of Essex Street and Commonwealth Ave. right across from the BU Bridge. The Green Line subway runs up Commonwealth and Kenmore Square is several blocks away. Go to http://www.bu.edu/visit/maps/campus/index.html for a map. The Showroom is #12. There is usually on street parking available. The entrance to 808 is on Commonwealth Ave. toward the right. If you need more directions, just email us.