"Trivializing" the stance is more like it. It's not surprising that meat-eaters would respond this way, whether they want to eat foie gras or not. After all, it goes to the root of all animal liberation. The mayor himself has gone on record as saying:The Illinois Restaurant Association and a few Chicago chefs, who are proponents of the foie gras industry, are fighting the humane ordinance to prohibit the sale of foie gras. This humane legislation passed on April 26, 2006 and went into effect Tuesday, August 22, 2006. The opposition efforts have been reported in newspapers around the country.
The Chicago Tribune ran an editorial criticizing the Chicago City Council for being meddlesome. Thanks to all activists who responded to our urgent action alert and posted comments! The newspaper published responses online.
However, a group of chefs has initiated a campaign to repeal this humane ordinance. Opponents assert that serving the cruelly produced appetizer should be their “choice." Two Chicago Aldermen have introduced an ordinance seeking to repeal Chicago’s foie gras sale ban, denigrating the council’s compassionate stance and calling it “silly."
"Why would they pick this and not anything else?" Daley asked. "How about veal? How about chicken? How about steak? Beef? How about fish?"Yup. I laugh nearly every time I see this. Wake up, Daley. Wake up, Chicago. Wake up, world! Look at who you're eating! The main concern I have is that when people do wake up and see that foie gras and other campaigns go to the heart of all animal consumption, they could well back down and start allowing all food cruelty. The idea that foie gras is egregiously cruel compared to, say, egg production comes only from the notion that foie gras is a foodie delicacy rather than a daily staple of the average American, thus making it more vulnerable.
If a foie gras ban is OK, Daley said, "all of a sudden, you can question any type, basically, anything that can be served in a restaurant. The poor snails and the mussels and the shrimp. I could go on and on. The lobsters."
But, if the backlash succeeds in over-turning the ban, we could see all food cruelty allowed simply because the issue continues to be seen as a food choice rather than a humanitarian imperative. As Farm Sanctuary points out,
It is critical that [Chicago's City Council] hear from us. Chicago’s foie gras sale ban is humane and upholds societal values. It restricts cruel and unacceptable behavior. We cannot allow the abuse of children or animals to be a “choice." Foie gras is a product of extreme cruelty, and selling it should not be a “choice."Visit Farm Sanctuary's foie gras campaign page for the full update, action items, and links.
What You Can Do Now!
- Please contact Alderman Stone and Natarus today and tell them that compassion is not "silly,"and cruelty should not be a “choice." Urge them to withdraw their unprincipled proposal.
1. Alderman Bernard L. Stone, Ward 50Ward Office:
6199 N.Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60659
bstone@cityofchicago.org
Phone: 773-764-5050
City Hall Office:
121 N. La Salle
Room 209, Office 20
Chicago, IL 60602
City Hall Phone: 312-744-6855; 312-744-6106
Fax : 312-744-23282. Alderman Burton F. Natarus, Ward 42
Ward Office:
121 N. LaSalle St.
Room 306
Chicago, IL 60602
bnatarus@cityofchicago.org
Phone: 312-744-3062; 312-744-3065
Fax : 312-744-3062
- Chicago residents, it is critical for animal advocates to weigh in on this discussion immediately! Please express your support to the other Chicago City Council members for voting for this humane legislation by contacting your local media outlets. Explain why you believe it was important for the Chicago City Council to take this compassionate stand and why you are proud to live in a City that is willing to address humane animal issues. The Council is taking a hit from the Chicago media as a result of their actions, even though they work for a wide variety of social issues.
Some things you may want to say are:
-Force feeding birds to make foie gras is cruel and should not be accepted in our society.
-We, as a nation, should not support animal cruelty.
-The Chicago City Council acted appropriately and Chicago should be proud.
-Certain acts involving harm are not a choice and abusing animals is not an option.
-Chicago chefs are selling themselves short by worrying about the foie gras sale ban. They should consider this an opportunity to utilize their creative culinary skills to produce a delicious and humane alternative.
- Chicago residents, please Click here to contact your Alderman to express gratitude for their compassionate and principled vote. It is just as important for the Aldermen to hear from constituents post-vote as it was pre-vote. Click here for a sample letter. If you do not know which Ward you live in or need to find your Alderman's phone number and fax number, please call the City of Chicago's information line at 311 or 312-744-5000. Give the operator your home address and he/she will be able to connect you directly to your Alderman's office.
UPDATE: Chicago Tribune: Foie gras ban may be next
Labels: animal law, foie gras
