Putting politics ahead of the people (and pigs), New Jersey
governor Chris Christie has vetoed a bill that would have effectively banned
gestation crates and required hog farmers to give animals at least enough room
to turn around and lie down comfortably. It was a modest measure that passed
with overwhelming bipartisan support in both branches of the state legislature.
More than 93 percent of New Jersey residents favored the
bill, which came into the national spotlight when it drew the support of
numerous celebrities, including Bob
Barker, Edie Falco, Danny DeVito, Bill Maher, Paul Wesley, Jon Bernthal, and
Martha Stewart.
Then why did Christie veto the bill?
It turns out that Christie’s presidential aspirations were
behind his latest act of corruption. According to MSNBC
and the Daily Show, Christie’s primary
concern was appeasing Iowa factory farmers in hopes of getting their support
for his bid to be president. After all, the Iowa caucus helps determine which
nominee will become the Republican Party’s chosen candidate. Unfortunately, mother pigs in New Jersey now
have to pay the price.
As repeatedly
documented by Mercy For Animals, confinement in gestation crates is one of the
worst forms of institutionalized animal abuse in existence. For nearly their
entire lives, pregnant pigs are condemned to these filthy metal crates, which
are so small the mother pigs are unable to turn around, lie down comfortably,
walk, run, play, or engage in other natural behaviors.
Take a look:
Gestation crates are so patently cruel they have been banned
in nine U.S. states and the entire European Union. New Jersey would have been
the 10th state to ban these crates, had it not been for the personal agenda of its
so-called leader.
Christie’s veto, while incredibly disappointing,
does not prevent compassionate individuals like you from doing your part. By
adopting a healthy and humane vegetarian diet, you can help mother pigs and all
other farmed animals. Visit ChooseVeg.com
for more information.