PETA's new Free the Chicken truck, which has been traveling to cities throughout the United States to promote going vegan, has arrived in Columbus.
Since July, the truck has visited four cities, including Virginia Beach, Virginia; Washington, DC; Philadelphia; and Pittsburgh.
In Pittsburgh, the truck was parked for two weekends at the same intersection as Layne's Chicken Fingers, which is less than a block from Raising Cane's, McDonald's and CHiKIN locations.
Now, it has rolled into Columbus and set sights on Raising Cane's at 10 E. 11th Ave. If you visit the truck, you can get free samples of vegan chicken fingers while watching a video that introduces who chickens are to the public.
“Every ‘chicken finger’ on Raising Cane’s menu was once a living,
thinking, social bird who suffered a terrifying and painful death,” PETA President Tracy Reiman said in a press release.
“PETA’s vegan ‘Free the Chicken’ truck is roosting in Columbus to remind people that every chicken is someone – and once you meet her, unless you have a heart of stone, you won’t want to eat her!”
Why is the PETA initiative focusing on chicken?
PETA claims on its website that from the moment chickens hatch, meat and egg industries treat the chicks as commodities. According to the PETA website, hatcheries will kill male chickens when they are a day old, due to the fact that males can't lay eggs.
Along with other claims of horrid living conditions and overly packed bird sheds, PETA states on its website that 9 billion chickens are killed for their flesh each year and the egg industry exploits 305 million hens.
"It’s easier than ever to enjoy all the flavors and dishes you love without causing anyone to suffer," the PETA website reads in an announcement about the initiative.
More vegan promotions in Columbus
Not only is PETA spreading the message of going vegan, but so are some central Ohioans.
Columbus Vegan Events, an Instagram account which posts about vegan events around the area, shared about the PETA truck heading to central Ohio.
"Stop by their truck to try some delicious vegan alternatives and learn why you should go vegan," the post reads.
The truck will be parked in front of the 11th Avenue Raising Cane's location beginning at noon Sept. 14.
The Dispatch has reached out to Raising Cane's for comment, but has not heard back.
Emily Rohozen is the entertainment editor for The Columbus Dispatch and can be reached at erohozen@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: PETA's vegan chicken truck rolls into Columbus, heads to Raising Cane's
