Dying Pigs’ Cries for Liberty, Not Death to Ring Out at Liberty Bell from PETA’s ‘Hell on Wheels’ Truck

For Immediate Release:
February 13, 2026

Contact:
Nicole Perreira 202-483-7382

History buffs stopping by the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall are in for an earful this President’s Day, when PETA’s “Hell on Wheels” hyper-realistic pig transport truck rolls into town to relay that liberty and justice for all means considering who is on their plate. PETA’s road hog—which looks as if it’s crammed with real pigs being hauled to their deaths—blasts out actual recorded sounds of the animals’ panicked screams, along with a looping subliminal message suggesting that people go vegan.

“Pigs value their freedom just as much as anyone else, and they don’t want or deserve to be packed into a truck for a terrifying trip to the slaughterhouse,” says PETA President Tracy Reiman. “PETA’s ‘Hell on Wheels’ truck is an appeal to everyone to declare their independence from the cruel meat industry, and PETA stands ready to assist with free vegan starter kits, recipes, and tips.”

Where:           S. 6th Street outside the Liberty Bell Center (between Chestnut Street and Market Steet), Philadelphia

When:             Monday, February 16, 12 noon

Why:               Pigs dream when they sleep, recognize their own names, and show empathy for other pigs who are happy or distressed. In the meat industry, workers chop off piglets’ tails, clip their teeth with pliers, and castrate the males—all without pain relief. Every year, more than 1 million pigs die, and at least 40,000 others sustain injuries during transport to slaughterhouses. It’s common for pigs on the way to slaughter to suffer from heat exhaustion or even become frozen to the sides of trucks.

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.