City Officials Ban Pamela Anderson From Streets of Montreal

Her Sexy New Vegetarian Ad Is Sexist, Proclaims Commissioner  

For Immediate Release:
July 14, 2010

Contact:
Amanda Schinke 757-622-7382

Montreal -- Pamela Anderson flew into town, all set to unveil her new vegetarian campaign for PETA at Place Jacques-Cartier on Thursday, only to be denied a permit for the event at the last minute by city officials who are claiming that her ad is sexist.

Says Anderson, "In a city that is known for its exotic dancing and for being progressive and edgy, how sad that a woman would be banned from using her own body in a political protest over the suffering of cows and chickens. In some parts of the world, women are forced to cover their whole bodies with burqas--is that next? I didn't think that Canada would be so puritanical."

Adds PETA Senior Vice President Dan Mathews, who will be in Montreal with Anderson for the unveiling, "I think that city officials are confusing 'sexy' with 'sexist.'"

In the ad, Anderson's nearly naked body is covered in paint markings that mimic a butcher's diagram--her flesh is marked "breast," "round," and "rump"--and the caption reads, "All Animals Have the Same Parts. Have a Heart--Go Vegetarian." Anderson will now be unveiling her campaign at Restaurant Globe at 11 a.m. on Thursday as part of a news conference for the Just for Laughs Festival, for which Anderson is hosting a gala on Thursday evening. Anderson is a long time defender of animals and outspoken slaughterhouse critic who believes that if you have to save animals' lives by undressing yourself, so be it.

For more information and to view Anderson's ad, please visit PETA.org.

Commissioner Josee Rochefort's e-mail message to PETA follows.

Mr. Lucas,

As you might expect, I have to inform you that we, as public officials representing a municipal government, cannot endorse this image of Ms Anderson. It is not so much controversial as it goes against all principles public organisations are fighting for in the everlasting battle of equality between men and women.

We therefore will not give you a permit to hold your event on Place Jacques-Cartier.

Yours truly,

Josee Rochefort

Commissaire logistique et permis
Direction de la culture et du patrimoine
Bureau du cinema et de la television de Montreal