The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will not be making an appearance in Owensboro this weekend after PETA announced there would be a protest outside the vehicle at the Sunset Cruisers Downtown Cruise-In, set for 4 p.m. Saturday at 101 W. Third St.
Sunset Cruisers President Joe Anderson confirmed the Wienermobile cancellation on Friday afternoon, citing the PETA protest as the reason.
“They intended for someone in a pig costume to lead the protest at the Wienermobile,” Anderson said.
Anderson said the protest from PETA was scheduled due to the spread of COVID-19 in meat packing plants.
According to PETA, a costumed “pig” would lead PETA supporters in a socially distanced protest outside the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.
“The protest comes as the meat industry allows slaughterhouse workers to face the nearly unchecked spread of COVID-19, which originated in a meat market,” a release from PETA reads. “The protesters will also point out that the World Health Organization has confirmed that eating hot dogs and other processed meats causes cancer.”
PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman said in the release that the organization encouraged everyone to “put the brakes on cruelty” as the Wienermobile pulled up to Owensboro.
“Smart, sensitive pigs suffer and die so that sick slaughterhouse workers can stuff their lips and anuses into colorectal cancer-causing hot dogs,” Reiman said.