PETA plans protest with at Wings Festival this weekend

Saturday, Sept.  2 —  People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is planning to protest the Michigan Chicken Wing Festival this weekend. 

The animal rights group, which claims eating animals is "speciest," will drive "Hell on Wheels" truck around the festival area at Adado Riverfront Park. The truck is covered with images of chickens on their way to slaughter. The truck will also broadcast the sounds of chickens on the way to butchering, with a "subliminal message" encouraging people to go vegan. 

A press release from the group indicates their goal is to “ruffle feathers” at the event with the truck and sound. 

“Behind every Buffalo or barbecued chicken wing was a once-living, sensitive individual who was crammed onto a truck for a terrifying, miserable journey to their death,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA’s ‘Hell on Wheels’ truck is an appeal to anyone who eats chicken to remember that the meat industry is cruel to birds and that the kindest meal is a vegan one.”

Scott Bean, spokesperson for Mayor Andy Schor, said the city and festival are prepared for the group. 

“As Michigan’s Capital City we are all familiar with the rights of citizens and groups to protest. However, they still have to abide by city ordinance and state law,” Bean said. “If there are noise violations with their amplified sound, then the Lansing Police Department is used to handling these situations and will talk to them. The Michigan Chicken Wing Festival has been taking place here for years and it’s a great weekend event for families to enjoy some delicious food and listen to fantastic live performances. A professional protest truck from Washington, D.C., isn’t going to be enough to drown out the fun coming from Adado Riverfront Park this weekend.”

The festival runs today and tomorrow from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are available on site. The event features not just varied wings, but vendors as well as entertainment, a children's area and more.