Just Do It
No Foie Gras Gala
Sat., Dec. 8, 6-9 p.m., $20-$25, Ethical Society Building, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Square, 215-735-3456, pafg.org
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In a city obsessed with the Birds, it's no wonder the battle of foie gras has taken off. Professionals Against Foie Gras are the latest to enter the controversial ring. The Philadelphia-based organization — made up of professionals who work, live and eat in the city — is throwing a gala to raise awareness about the dish and promote the passing of a forthcoming bill that would ban its sale in Philadelphia. The evening will include auctions, food and art as well as guest speakers such as Judy Wicks and Councilman Jack Kelly, who introduced the bill.
Like others in the movement, PAFG (who do not protest in front of restaurants, but take part in letter-writing campaigns) are horrified by the process used to obtain the fatty livers. "These animals are in a tremendous amount of suffering before their death," says PAFG chairwoman and gala co-planner Elissa Katz. She urges that the city of brotherly love take notice. "This is one of the egregious types of treatment of animals," she says. "When it comes to suffering, no matter whom or what it is, we should all be concerned."
Also In This Week's Agenda Section
First and foremost - Ducks and geese have NO gag reflex and so the process of 'gavage' bothers the viewer more than the duck.
Secondly - in order to obtain foie gras, ducks cannot be confined in the same fashion as chickens are.
Thirdly, foie gras is a 'soft target', viewed as elitist and a 'luxury', something that 'rich people' eat. On top of that it's French!
Fourthly, we should look at the real agenda of groups like PAFG. That agenda is to eventually ban the production and consumption of ALL animal protein. The banning of foie gras is a slippery slope which we can not afford to go down.
If Ms. Katz, Mr. Kelly and Ms Wicks want to protest cruelty to animals they should take up the plight of pigs and chickens which are raised in far more sordid conditions. But of course, chickens and pigs are not as cute as ducks and don't elicit the same sort of "sympathy".