University of Texas Debate Team to Spar with PETA VP on the Ethics of Eating Animals

Contest of Words Guarantees Fireworks

For Immediate Release:
April 15, 2010

Contact:
Shakira Croce  757-622-7382

Austin, Texas -- Here's one University of Texas debate that promises plenty of blood and guts--not on the competitors but in the words of PETA Vice President Bruce Friedrich as he describes the horrifying abuse that animals face when they're raised and killed for food. Friedrich will also address the massive environmental devastation caused by meat production as he makes the case for choosing a vegan diet.

When:  Friday, April 16, 7 p.m.
Where: Communications Building, CMA A2.320, University of Texas at Austin

"This is one of the most hotly debated issues of our time," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "Nearly one in four college students is now demanding vegan meals at school, and if anyone can hammer home the arguments in favor of a vegan diet, Bruce can."

A seasoned debater, Friedrich has faced off against representatives of the fur, meat, and animal-experimentation industries for more than a decade. He also won a top spot while competing on the Showtime reality series American Candidate. Friedrich will face off against members of the University of Texas debate team.

The debate--titled "Is Eating Meat Ethical?"--will be hosted by peta2, PETA's youth division, and is open to the public. Friedrich has recently participated in similar debates at the University of Georgia, Yale University, and Brigham Young University as part of peta2's latest strategy to make animal rights the most talked about issue on college campuses.

For more information, please visit peta2.com.