Vermont's Independent Voice
Browse News
Browse Arts + Culture
Browse Food + Drink
Browse Cannabis
Browse Music
Browse On Screen
Browse Events
Browse Classifieds
Browse Personals
Published August 30, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. | Updated September 12, 2017 at 9:58 a.m.
A trio of animal-loving activists parked themselves by Burlington's Church and Bank streets last Thursday with an eye-catching cow replica. The reason? The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals operatives were protesting human consumption of cow's milk.
"We're trying to bring attention to how disturbing it is that we drink the breast milk of another animal," said Katerina Davidovich, as she handed pamphlets of vegan recipes to passersby. "People are so disconnected from the process — they buy some white liquid in a container at the store."
The activists used the life-size cow replica to illustrate their point. Andrew Ensenat, a PETA volunteer from Brooklyn, N.Y., got on the ground and sucked on one of its teats. Beside him stood Audrey Shircliff, another volunteer who held a sign reading, "Not Your Mom, Not Your Milk." All three were clad in black.
"I love PETA!" Ensenat told a reporter as he took his mouth away from the artificial udder.
Was anyone mooooved?
Most Church Street pedestrians gave a wry smile as they passed, if they noticed the display at all. Onett Johnson, a tourist from Key West, Fla., stopped to snap a pic of the protesters. They obliged as Johnson kneeled on the ground and Ensenat suckled the faux bovine.
Johnson told Seven Days he doesn't drink milk — but not by choice. He learned as an adult that he is lactose intolerant, so he pours coconut milk on his cereal.
The original print version of this article was headlined "COWABUNGA"
More By This Author
Speaking of...
-
Neighbors Band Together to Save Cattle From Hinesburg Floodwater
Jul 11, 2024 -
Q&A: Meet the Family Running the Last Dairy Farm in Strafford
Jun 7, 2023 -
Video: Meet Earl & Jackson Ransom and Amy Huyffer of Strafford Organic Creamery at Rockbottom Farm
Jun 1, 2023 -
As People Consume More Dairy Products, Vermont’s Commodity Is Churned Into Many Forms
May 30, 2023 -
Rise ‘n Shine Makes Home Milk Delivery Cool Again
Feb 28, 2023 - More »
Comments (5)
Showing 1-5 of 5
Comments are closed.
From 2014-2020, Seven Days allowed readers to comment on all stories posted on our website. While we've appreciated the suggestions and insights, right now Seven Days is prioritizing our core mission — producing high-quality, responsible local journalism — over moderating online debates between readers.
To criticize, correct or praise our reporting, please send us a letter to the editor or send us a tip. We’ll check it out and report the results.
Online comments may return when we have better tech tools for managing them. Thanks for reading.
