Chrissie Hynde to Offer Downtown Diners Food for Thought at McDonald's Protest

Vegan Rock Legend Kicks Off 'i'm hatin' it' Blitz Urging Company to Upgrade to Less Cruel Slaughter Standards 

For Immediate Release:
May 26, 2010

Contact:
Amanda Schinke 757-622-7382

Philadelphia -- Lunchtime diners at a downtown McDonald's will get some food for thought Thursday as Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders brings her provocative new PETA campaign to Philadelphia. The singer, arm-in-arm with PETA's costumed "chicken," will unveil her "i'm hatin' it" parody ad (soon to be on billboards across the country) and present kids with PETA's controversial "Unhappy Meals," which include a menacing "Ronald McDonald" cutout, a mangled plastic chicken, and a "blood"-filled packet that urges McDonald's to "Ketchup With the Times."

When:   Thursday, May 27, 12 noon

Where:  McDonald's, 3935 Walnut St. (corner of Walnut Street and S. 40th Street), Philadelphia

Hynde and PETA are launching the campaign because McDonald's in the U.S. refuses to adopt the less cruel slaughter standards that the company already uses in Europe. McDonald's suppliers in this country use an outdated slaughter method that often causes birds to suffer broken wings and broken legs, have their throats cut while they are still conscious, and be scalded to death in defeathering tanks. PETA--along with McDonald's own animal welfare advisory panel--has urged the company to require a less cruel slaughter method called "controlled-atmosphere killing," which eliminates the worst abuses that birds suffer.

"McDonald's means McCruelty as far as I'm concerned," says longtime PETA spokesperson Chrissie Hynde. The rock star is taking time off from promoting her upcoming album in New York in order to lead the unveiling and demonstration in Philadelphia.

For more information, please visit McCruelty.com or PETA.org.