MORINVILLE, Alta. – Elementary schools in Edmonton and Calgary have banned a two-metre tall talking carrot from lecturing students about the evils of eating meat.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wanted its mascot Chris P. Carrot to talk to students about vegetarian diets in health classes Sept. 10-11.
Doug Beaton, principal of Edmonton’s Crawford Plains School, said the extreme literature from the Virginia-based animal rights group was too graphic for impressionable young minds.
“I believe this is basically scare tactics not based on any facts,” said Beaton, who reviewed PETA’s bro-chures before refusing the request. “They also refer to parents who make their children eat meat as child abusers, which, as far as I am concerned, is going too far.”
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Banned from school property, a man wearing a carrot costume appeared outside the school, passing out brochures and buttons to students, telling them to “eat your veggies, not your friends” in front of a large contingent of photographers and camera crews after classes ended Sept. 11.
Request equal time
Violet Kelly, who co-ordinated PETA’s foray into Alberta, said the group wanted equal time with meat industry propagandists to share their views with children.
“It is upsetting because the meat industries have flooded the schools and media with their propaganda for decades. Chris P. Carrot tells the animals’ side of story,” said Kelly, who said she has followed a strict vegetarian diet for the past 12 years.
Beaton said he has allowed farmers to make presentations to students in the past.
“We have had people from the dairy industry and farming industry come in and do presentations because they were appropriate to the curriculum.”
The school’s health curriculum, which includes a unit on nutrition, follows guidelines set by Alberta Education. PETA’s presentation did not meet the province’s standards, Beaton said.
“I am not opposed to vegetarianism if that is what people choose to do. But I believe eating habits and what kids eat is the responsibility of parents.”
PETA’s high-profile hijinks angered many parents, who supported Beaton’s decision to ban the group from the school.
“As soon as the students saw the cameras, I think that was what attracted them, not the carrot. Because of the attention, the children ran out and took their buttons and literature,” said Beaton, who called police to ensure the incident remained orderly.
A similar media circus took place at Edmonton’s Weinlos School, where staff also refused to let the carrot into classrooms.
David Moss, the school’s assistant principal, said administrators wanted to get parental approval before allowing the animal rights activists to speak to students.
Earlier in the week, two Calgary schools banned the mascot from speaking in their classrooms. But Kelly remains unbowed.
“Feeding children meat is child abuse. Meat eating leads to obesity, heart disease and cancer and Chris P. Carrot wants to help children stay healthy. Health-conscious parents should love him.”
Hit where it matters
The Texas-born Kelly said PETA wanted to make a statement in Alberta, Canada’s cattle capital.
“Kids ought to know how these animals are treated on these factory farms, what happens to them before they hit the dinner table.”
PETA’s move into Alberta schools has disturbed Joanne Lemke, the Alberta Cattle Commission’s public affairs manager.
“It’s ridiculous. Unfortunately, it isn’t brand new. PETA has used this type of campaign and others in the past, particularly in the United States,” said Lemke.
Kelly believes the group’s campaigns will eventually confine carnivorism to the history books with other outdated traditions.
“It used to be OK to keep slaves and for women not being able to vote. That’s the way we feel about animal rights.”
