PETA says Columbus has lots of fast-food seafood, will place billboards promoting veganism

The animal welfare advocacy group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, has announced plans to place two billboards in Columbus urging people to see fish as individuals, not as food, and encouraging people to become vegan.

A spokesperson for the group told the Ledger-Enquirer the reason the billboards were being placed in Columbus was because of a high concentration of Long John Silver's and Captain D's restaurants. According to Google data, there are only two Long John Silver's restaurants in the Columbus area, but there are six Captain D's restaurants.

The billboards feature a fish swimming in the ocean, with a message saying "I'm ME, not MEAT. See the Individual. Go Vegan."

“Just like humans, fish feel pain and fear, have unique personalities, and value their own lives,” said PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman in a press release. “PETA’s billboards are reminders that we can spare these sensitive aquatic animals the agony of being suffocated, impaled, crushed, and cut open—simply by choosing vegan meals.”

Veganism is a practice of minimizing harm to animals by abstaining from food or products created with animal parts, including meat and clothing.

"PETA’s ads are encouraging people to make compassionate dining choices and reminding them that animals are just that: animals. They’re not bacon, hamburgers, chicken nuggets, or fish filets but living, feeling beings—just like us," PETA wrote on its blog.

The signs have already been placed in Cincinnati, Ohio and will be placed in other cities as well, according to PETA. The signs in Columbus will be at 1212 Manchester Expressway and 3281 Victory Drive, the spokesperson said.

This story was originally published December 19, 2017 at 12:55 PM with the headline "PETA says Columbus has lots of fast-food seafood, will place billboards promoting veganism."