You’ve heard the buzz and read the news, and we know you’ll see the films. He’s received critical acclaim for not one but two theatrical releases this fall, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and Gone Baby Gone—’tis the season of Casey Affleck.
But did you know that just a short while ago, you were prevented from seeing him in another starring role? Casey took aim at the meat industry in a PETA public service announcement (PSA) by exposing its shameful abuse of animals, but the television networks refused to air it. Now, PETA and Casey have been forced to create a toned-down version of the PSA just to get the networks to agree to show it on air.
Watch more videos at PETA.org
In both versions of the PSA, Casey shares his reasons for going vegan: “When people ask me why I don’t eat meat or any other animal products, I say, ‘Because they are unhealthy and they are the product of a violent and inhumane industry.’” Casey doesn’t mince words about how animals suffer in
factory farms and slaughterhouses: “Chickens, cows, and pigs in factory farms spend their whole lives in filthy, cramped conditions, only to die a prolonged and painful death.”Casey urges his fans to avoid meat—which he aptly calls “poison”—not only because it is the product of horrendous cruelty but also because it is a
health nightmare, “proven to contribute to heart disease and cancer.”
Casey wanted to show his fans exactly what happens behind the scenes of the meat industry—images that most people never see. However, when the networks wouldn’t air the whole truth, Casey and PETA agreed to make a version of the same PSA with softer, toned-down images that the networks would agree to air.
What You Can Do
Casey made the video with the original images because he wanted others to get a glimpse of what really goes on behind the scenes in factory farms. He says, “All the videos that the wonderful people at PETA make that I see online and on TV resonate with me each and every time I watch them.” Help PETA and Casey by pasting this code
on your Web site, your MySpace or You Tube profile, or your blog so you can show the video on your page. Also, be sure to e-mail the video to all your friends and family members today!
It’s easy to improve your health and help animals like Casey does. Order a free Vegetarian Starter Kit today!
In 4REAL Pawnee, Sol Guy takes Casey Affleck to the Pawnee Nation reservation in Oklahoma to meet Native leader Crystal Echo Hawk and her NVision crew. NVision is a collective of Native men and women who use hip hop, popular culture, film and visual and performing arts to create a dialogue with Native youth about ways to realize their vision for success, leadership and well being.