Claremont Mayor to Join Pitzer College Unveiling of First U.S. Memorial to Animals Killed for Food

For Immediate Release:
August 31, 2026

Contact:
Alex Payne 202-483-7382

Pitzer College is making history this week. Claremont Mayor Jennifer Stark, students, faculty, and PETA representatives will gather at the college on Tuesday to unveil the Pitzer Animal Recognition Memorial at McConnell Dining Hall—the first memorial of its kind honoring the millions of cows, pigs, chickens, and other animals who have been killed and served as food there. Attendees will hear from supporters of the memorial and enjoy delicious vegan chicken as an illustration of the many non-violent alternatives to killing.

Angela Davis, a longtime vegan and renowned civil rights activist, author, and educator, has encouraged people to stand against all forms of oppression and has spoken in support of the memorial. Paid for by PETA, the memorial was first proposed by a coalition of Pitzer students, alumni, and faculty members.

“Every student who walks into this dining hall will be reminded that each animal killed for a fleeting taste was once a living, feeling individual who valued their life and didn’t want to die,” says Pitzer alumna and PETA staff member Ella Rosenblatt, who led the coalition calling for the memorial. “I hope this memorial inspires students to think about how animals suffer in the meat, egg, and dairy industries and to choose vegan meals.”

When: Tuesday, September 1, 11 a.m.

Where: Outside of McConnell Dining Hall, Pitzer College, 1050 N. Mills Ave., Claremont

Why: Cows, pigs, chickens, and other animals feel love, joy, pain, and fear, just as humans do—yet in the meat, egg, and dairy industries, they are raised in filthy, crowded conditions and are violently killed. Each person who goes vegan spares nearly 200 animals every year, dramatically shrinks their food-related carbon footprint, and slashes their risk of suffering from cancer, heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and obesity. PETA’s free vegan starter kit is filled with tips to help anyone thinking of making the switch.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.