THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 10, 1996 TAG: 9607100340
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 29 lines
Animal rights activists protested at seven McDonald's restaurants across the country - including one in Virginia Beach - on Tuesday, criticizing the fast-food chain for passing out toy pigs to kids while serving meat.
The protesters with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals did not object to the pink, plush hero of the movie ``Babe,'' which is McDonald's toy of the month, but they did object to the hamburgers, fish and chicken served alongside.
``The little pig was trying to escape from the farm and escape from slaughter,'' said Michael McGraw, a spokesman for PETA. He said the restaurant chain was hypocritical for promoting a movie with a ``great vegetarian message'' along with meat products.
About a dozen activists offered soy sausages to passers-by at the McDonald's restaurant on Atlantic Avenue and 28th Street. The restaurant manager declined comment, and a secretary at the McDonald's corporate office in Norfolk said all officials were out of town at conferences.
Virginia Beach was selected as a target because PETA now calls Hampton Roads home. PETA opened its doors at 501 Front St., Norfolk, on July 1.
Other targeted restaurants were in New York City; Rochester, N.Y.; Austin, Texas; Portland, Ore.; Washington and Chicago, McGraw said.
KEYWORDS: PETA PROTEST by CNB