Animal rights group PETA is urging the White House not to use “real chicken eggs” in the White House Easter Egg Roll this year.
The White House will hold its annual Easter Egg Roll on April 10, its first celebration after suspending the event for two years due to concerns about COVID.
PETA President Ingrid Newkirk suggested the White House could opt for “reusable plastic or wooden eggs — or even painted rocks or beautiful egg-like balls” — instead of regular chicken eggs.
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PETA’s letter, addressed to first lady Jill Biden, was full of egg-themed puns, including calling the event an “egg special” for “chickens and all children who attend, including those who do not consume eggs for ethical, environmental or health reasons.” (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
PETA’s latest letter, addressed to First Lady Jill Biden, was full of egg-themed puns, including calling the event an “egg special” for “the hens and all children who attend, including those who do not consume eggs for ethical, environmental or health reasons.” .
Newkirk also cited high egg prices in his letter, attributing it to the bird flu outbreak.
“We hope you’ll agree that with families shedding nearly 70% more eggs amid the deadliest outbreak of bird flu on record, now is a great time to grow a friendly Easter tradition that doesn’t promote the cruel egg industry,” he said.
PETA president also argued that Jill Biden, who received a Ph.D. in education, he would understand that Americans should learn “intelligent” and “sensitive” chickens because he is an “educator”.
“As educators, you understand that we want Americans of all ages to consider who animals are, what makes them tick, and how they feel. Chickens are intelligent, sensitive animals who feel pain and empathy; they have different personalities; and the same way. A few days old, can count and perform basic addition and subtraction.”
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(“Chickens are intelligent, sensitive animals that feel pain and empathy; they have distinct personalities; and at just a few days old, they can count and do basic addition and subtraction,” PETA wrote in the letter to Jill Biden.)
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Newkirk continued to lament the separation of the chicks from their mothers, making another bird-themed joke.
“Mother hens communicate with their chicks while they are still in the shell, recognizing her call when they hatch. Children, who have a natural empathy for animals, would be dismayed to learn that the eggs came from their mothers at this family event. They spent their entire lives in cages smaller than a letter-sized piece of paper, wing not being able to lift a single one, and as soon as they were put on, they took them away from him.”
“The irony is of the birds,” Newkirk added.
Late night show host Jimmy Kimmel mocked the letter on Tuesday.
“Is it possible that PETA is a false flag operation designed to make liberals look ridiculous?” he asked his audience.
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Newkirk responded to the criticism in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“People are quick to make a joke out of unfamiliar things, but in this case, they’d probably take the joke back and celebrate Easter with ceramic or wooden eggs if they watched PETA’s ‘Shell to Hell’ video and saw how the egg industry cuts off parts of chickens’ beaks, he stuffs the birds into filthy, windowless sheds and sends them to die when their bodies wear out,” he wrote.
Jeffrey Clark is an associate editor at Fox News Digital. He has previously served as a speechwriter for a cabinet secretary and as a Fulbright Professor in South Korea. Jeffrey graduated from the University of Iowa in 2019 with a BA in English and BA in History.
Story tips can be sent to jeffrey.clark@fox.com.