PREVIOUSLY:

• (UPDATED With Response from Mayor Bergel) PETA Urges Eureka to Ditch the Fisherman Statue in Favor of a ‘Fintastic’ Fish Sculpture

Press release from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals:

During the “Mayor’s Reports” portion of tomorrow’s city council meeting, PETA will present Eureka with a first-of-its-kind Fish Empathy Quilt and deliver a brief presentation on the importance of respecting fish and other marine life and leaving aquatic animals in the ocean, where they belong. Three of the enormous quilt’s panels will be displayed outside the Council Chambers at Eureka City Hall for one month. The presentation follows positive communication between the group and Mayor Kim Bergel about promoting compassion toward fish and other animals.

“Fish are intelligent, empathetic, and playful beings who deserve the same consideration and compassion as humans, dogs, and every other animal,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA thanks Eureka for helping to pay tribute to the billions of aquatic animals killed each year in the fishing industry and tip the scales toward humane vegan meals.”

The quilt measures more than 300 square feet and is composed of more than 100 unique, handcrafted squares from PETA members and supporters, including cartoonist Harry Bliss and oceanographic explorer and film producer Jean-Michel Cousteau.