Russell Simmons has joined with People for the
Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and is calling for a boycott of Kentucky
Fried Chicken.
Simmons was featured in a full page advertisement
in The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Kentucky, where KFC is headquartered.
Simmons would not comment on the issue with AllHipHop.com,
saying "I am not a spokesperson for the issue, I just wanted to lend my
support to the cause."
Simmons wrote a letter urging David C. Novak,
CEO of Yum Brands, which in addition to KFC, owns Taco Bell and Pizza Hut.
He urged Novak to improve their practices of
raising and slaughtering chickens in a letter printed in the newspaper.
"What KFC does to 750 million chickens
each year, on your watch, is not civilized or acceptable, and you can change
that," the letter read. "I am calling for a boycott of all KFC restaurants
until my friends at PETA tell me that you have agreed to be kinder in your practices."
Simmons is a longtime vegetarian and PETA supporter.
Spokespeople for Yum Brands said that they do
not slaughter the chickens, but they buy cook and sell them. The suppliers that
do slaughter the chickens are required to follow guidelines developed by the
industry.
Other supporters include ex-Beatles frontman
Sir Paul McCartney, who also appeared in a full page ad in the newspaper and
the lead singer of The Pretenders, Chrissie Hynde.
Hynde was arrested last month in Paris after
smearing blood on the windows of a KFC restaurant and blocking traffic.
