PETA protest targets KFC’s practices
Bikini clad ‘chicks’ say chicken chain inhumane
By Eric Russell
BDN Staff
BANGOR, Maine ? As socio-political demonstrations go, this one was just plain cold.
Two members of PETA, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, braved below freezing temperatures and snow showers to protest Wednesday outside the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant on Broadway. Aside from winter gloves, hats and boots, though, Ashley Byrne, 30, and Krissy Addington, 26, wore only skimpy yellow bikinis.
?We?re two chicks sticking up for other chicks,? Byrne explained.
The two PETA members have targeted KFC, Byrne said, because the company has refused to make changes in the way it slaughters its chickens. Byrne and Addington have led protests at KFC sites all across the country in recent weeks, including at an Augusta restaurant on Tuesday and at a Portland KFC on Monday.
?So far, this is the coldest [weather] we?ve seen,? Byrne said just after noon Wednesday, when the temperatures hovered in the mid-20s. ?But it?s worth it to be cold for an hour if it means bringing awareness to this abusive treatment.?
The Broadway KFC, which also includes a Taco Bell, has been open only for a few months. The day manager on Wednesday was not authorized to comment but referred questions to a company spokesman.
Rick Maynard provided this statement:
"KFC is committed to the well-being and humane treatment of chickens. We’re proud of our responsible, industry-leading animal-welfare guidelines. We buy our quality chickens from the same trusted brands that consumers buy in local supermarkets.
We don’t comment on PETA’s activities and publicity stunts, which speak for themselves."
