Context: The above video was first aired on Dec. 2.
EMPORIA (KSNT) - An animal rights organization is petitioning the CEO of Tyson Foods, Inc. to lease its Emporia plant for the purpose of turning it into an animal empathy museum and vegan food café.
Maddy Missett with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) shared a letter with 27 News addressed to Tyson Food, Inc.'s CEO Donnie King on Dec. 5. The letter, signed by PETA President Ingrid Newkirk, asks King to lease the Emporia Tyson Fresh Meats location at 2101 West Sixth Street to PETA for the purpose of transforming it into an empathy museum to educate people about cows and pigs.
“There’s no undoing the pain, misery, and terror that cows and pigs have suffered for old eating habits, but an empathy museum would be one way to honor the millions killed and show people why they should leave animals off their plates,” Newkirk said. “PETA urges Tyson’s to consider leasing this soon-to-be-shuttered house of horrors.”
Emporia's Tyson Fresh Meats plant is set to close in February 2025, impacting more than 800 workers in the community. While some will be taken in by other nearby Tyson plants, many will need to look for new employment opportunities in light of the closure.
Newkirk goes on to say in her letter that the Emporia facility will create new jobs in the community for some and lead to increased tourism for the community. The museum would highlight the intelligence and social aspects of cows and pigs for visitors.
"Our empathy museum would include informational displays highlighting fascinating and often conveniently ignored facts about these animals and would remind visitors that pigs and cows should not be seen as bacon, chops, or burgers but as living, feeling beings just like themselves. Pigs can play video games, can form strong social bonds with other pigs, and are intelligent problem solvers. Cows are social animals who have best friends and long-term memories, like to play, and display various personality types."
PETA President Ingrid Newkirk letter excerpt
27 News has reached out to Tyson Food, Inc. for a response to the PETA letter. More information will be added here as it becomes available.
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