Billboard in Vatican City declares: “I Am Someone, Not Something”

Vegan Lent: Animal rights organization appeals to people to see an individual behind every piece of meat.

Billboard near St. Peter's Square

A billboard has been unveiled in Rome near St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. It features the face of a pig alongside the text: “I Am Someone, Not Something. This Lent: Choose Vegan.” The campaign was published by the animal rights organization PETA UK to inspire people to help animals, the environment, and their own health – through a vegan Lent.

“Pigs, cows, sheep, and chickens are no different from humans when it comes to feeling pain and fear or valuing their own lives,” said Mimi Bekhechi, Director of International Programmes at PETA UK. “PETA encourages everyone to show compassion towards animals and to remove meat from their diet. Instead, they should opt for humane and healthy vegan meals this Lent.”

Industrialized Animal Farming as Animal Cruelty

Part of PETA’s motto is: animals are not here for us to eat. The organization points out that Jesus would likely have been appalled by today’s industrialized meat, egg, dairy, and fishing industries. In these sectors, animals are subjected to routine abuse. They are denied any respect or compassion. Chickens and turkeys frequently have their throats cut while still alive. Fish are gutted while fully conscious or suffocate on the deck of a fishing vessel. Calves are torn from their mothers just hours after birth so that the milk intended for them can be consumed by humans.

The consumption of meat and other animal products is not only directly linked to animal cruelty — it has also been associated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. More on Wildlife and Campaigns at wildbeimwild.com.