In a strategy to get attention, radical animal rights activists are once more criticizing a cherished nearby American custom.
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals ( PETA ) is calling for Punxsutawney Phil, the famous mascot of Punxsutawney, Pa .’s Groundhog Day celebrations, to be replaced with a so-called vegan cake substitute.  ,
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PETA requested in a media release on January 20 that Punxsutawney officials replace the custom of a vegan “weather show” bread.
If Punxsutawney Phil and his family retire to a respectable sanctuary, which will give the costume kudos from wildlife enthusiasts, PETA stated that PETA will provide a delightful” Way Show” vegan cake every Groundhog Day in eternity.
Our letter suggests that the rabbit club show genuine appreciation for Phil and set a wonderful example of how everyone can substitute using him for a delicious vegan” Wet Reveal” cake for” Groundhog Day” for revelers, according to PETA, who added that” the time is long overdue.”
Since 1887, Groundhog Day has been a popular holiday in many towns across the country, each with its own chubby prophesizing squirrel.
Every February 2, thousands of people visit Punxsutawney, a little Pennsylvania town, to watch Phil’s weather forecast. If Punxsutawney Phil sees his dark and tries to flee, it is believed that winter will survive another six weeks, but spring is anticipated to arrive early.
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The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, which is home to Punxsutawney Phil, was even persuaded by the animal rights group to inform the team that the groundhog’s monthly obligations were” no piece of cake” and that “groundhogs are quiet victim animals who, when allowed, deliberately avoid people.”
” Yet, year after year, Phil is transported to Gobbler’s Knob, whisked on stage, and subjected to a noisy announcer, screaming crowds, and flashing lights against all his natural instincts”, PETA complained.
” If approached in his natural habitat, he would run away in fear, not volunteer to live year-round in captivity, unable to do anything that’s natural and important to him like hibernate or burrow – just to be a town’s once-a-year fake meteorologist”.
The petition for the end of Groundhog Day traditions was not the first time PETA suggested replacing Punxsutawney Phil with a gigantic gold coin in 2024. The group also placed advertisements around Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, which features its own Jimmy the Groundhog tradition, to persuade nearby residents to retire him as well.
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PETA’s president, Ingrid Newkirk released a statement calling for the hosts of Punxsutawney’s Groundhog Day celebrations to” sprinkle some happiness” into the animal’s life by retiring him from public view.
” When allowed to be themselves, groundhogs avoid humans, create intricate networks of underground burrows, communicate with one another, and even climb trees, but poor Phil is denied all of that for a tired old gimmick”, wrote Newkirk.
Last year, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow, which led to a premonition for an early spring, followed by cheers and boos from the audience.
