Oct 10

Oct 10 Chicken Tenders

Chicago Tourism, Demonstrations, Performance, Protest, Public Declarations

““There ain’t nobody here but us chickens
There ain’t nobody here at all
You’re stompin’ around and shakin’ the ground
You’re kickin’ up an awful dust
We chicken’s tryin’ to sleep and you butt in
And hobble, hobble hobble hobble, it’s a sin””

— Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens, Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (June 26, 1946)--the B Side of Decca Personality Series 23741

“The sun’s not yellow it’s chicken”

— Bob Dylan, Tombstone Blues from HIghway 61 Revisited (1965)

How could I possibly skip today’s demonstration at Chicago’s Navy Pier. Somewhere between six and a dozen people stood at the corner of East Grand Avenue and Park Drive, just north of Navy Pier’s main entranceway. Were they shedding light on climate change, immigrant rights, Putin’s attempt to annex Ukraine, or any of the other issues that see people regularly taking to Chicago’s streets? Nope.

Navy Pier was hosting Chicken Tender Fest, where people consume those delectable protein morsels. I didn’t attend the fest, but I assumed the tenders were just the delivery mechanisms for fried fat and tasty sauces. The demonstrators didn’t care why people were eating chicken tenders. Wearing black Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) tee-shirts, they were taking a stand against what they view as animal cruelty.

When I asked, the organizer confirmed that this was the same group (not necessarily these six individuals) who can be seen on Michigan Avenue outside Louis Vuitton and Max Mara objecting to the use of animals for clothing. I have encountered them many times, particularly as the Christmas shopping season moves into full swing. According to the organizer, the group targets the abuse or exploitation of chickens, cattle, or any other sentient being. Abuse includes using the animals for food, clothing, or scientific experimentation.

Passersby may have noticed the demonstrators and signage, but few seemed to pay much attention to the message. The group should work on better visuals for their next demonstration. Today, someone dressed as a gigantic yellow chicken would have drawn much more attention.

For my money, a message highlighting cruel living conditions resonates much more than a message demanding that everyone become a vegan. The demonstrators should recognize that most passersby aren’t going to convert to veganism. On the other hand, many people are sympathetic when they see photographs of filthy cages holding tightly packed chickens.

[Click on an Image to Enlarge It. The Images Are Not Necessarily in Exact Chronological Order]