29-04-2025
Bakersfield Barbecue Company responds to PETA protest
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — On Monday, a truck rolled up to Bakersfield Barbecue Company, displaying realistic images of pigs crammed into suffocating crates while being hauled off to the slaughterhouse.
The screams of the dying pigs echoed through the streets right outside the barbecue restaurant.
However, the owner of the diner and his friends were already armored and prepared.
PETA's 'Hell on Wheels' truck stopped at the Bakersfield diner at around noon of April 28 to protest the consumption of animals. According to PETA, the truck blasted actual recorded sounds of animal screams along with a 'subliminal message' every 10 seconds persuading people to go vegan.
'Does this bother you?' the words printed near the bottom of the truck asked onlookers. 'Please, go vegan.'
PETA's 'Hell on Wheels' campaign through Bakersfield encourages people to go vegan
That's when a group of people gathered to stand outside of the establishment. A few were wearing a shirt showing the words 'P.E.T.A. — People Eating Tasty Animals.'
Brandon Slichter, owner of Bakersfield Barbecue Company located at 700 21st St., was wearing a black shirt printed with the words, 'I'd smoke that,' around a diagram of a pig labeling each part of its body in different mouth-watering phrases, such as 'yum,' 'get some,' 'flavor town' and more.
Slichter said one of his customers had told him about PETA announcing their planned protest against his diner.
'So we decided we're gonna have fun with it,' Slichter said.
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Slichter also said he had expected more people to show up to protest animal consumption, but only the driver of the truck had arrived.
Slichter said PETA's methods will not turn people vegan.
'I think if you're gonna try and sway people to think the way they think, they should have a more tactful approach instead of doing a shock and awe,' Slichter said.
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