Animal rights organisations SPECIESISM.WTF and Animal Justice Project (AJP) held an art installation in Cambridge on Sunday outside the Guildhall to educate the public about the UK turkey industry.
Stephanie Lane, founder of SPECIESISM.WTF, presented her latest work, a participatory art installation called ‘Turkey is NOT Human(e)’. It depicts a group of family members sitting around a dinner table with a woman pretending to be a turkey about to be dined on.
AJP commissioned a digital advertising van to drive around the city on the day to show shoppers turkeys on modern-day farms.
“Through a powerful combination of creative expression, investigative insights, and public engagement, the event aims to challenge the consumption of turkeys over the Christmas period,” said a spokesperson for Animal Justice Project.
“After witnessing the demo, the public were approached by campaign volunteers and asked the important question ‘do you think this is humane?’
Sean Barrs, Animal Justice Project Campaigner: “Our Cambridge event aims to send a powerful message: turkeys are remarkable, intelligent, and gentle creatures who deserve lives of freedom—not lives ended in the name of holiday traditions.
“This festive season, we have the chance to create a kinder world by rethinking what’s on our plates. Why not celebrate a truly compassionate Christmas by choosing meals that leave animals off them entirely? Together, we can honour the spirit of the season with love and kindness for all beings.”
Stephanie Lane, SPECIESISM.WTF Founder: “Through my art, I aim to capture the trauma that turkeys endure by drawing parallels to human suffering.
“Turkeys are intelligent, sensitive beings who feel fear and pain just as we do, yet their lives are reduced to commodities in the farming industry.
“By portraying their experiences through a human lens, I hope to bridge the empathy gap and challenge their ingrained speciesism.”
Animal Rights Justice says that a survey carried out by Tesco in 2024 discovered that 27% of people would be having plant-based options for Christmas this year. Daily Express reported on this, concluding that there is a Rising Number of People who want Veggie and Meat-Free Dishes this Christmas.
“To increase this demand even further, earlier this month, Tesco Cambridge was targeted by Animal Justice Project over sale of turkeys.
“Our action this Sunday builds on this work with the purpose of educating Cambridge shoppers about the reality of turkey farming,” said the spokesperson.
“In the UK, approximately 9 million turkeys are killed annually, with most consumed during the Christmas season. In November 2024 alone, 1.6 million turkeys were slaughtered.
“Turkeys endure many of the same welfare challenges as chickens. They have a significantly shortened lifespan, with slaughter taking place at just 12–26 weeks old, compared to their natural lifespan of around 10 years.
“High stocking densities often restrict their movement, preventing them from expressing natural behaviours.”
The spokesperson added: “Undercover investigations have uncovered severe suffering on some turkey farms, including untreated injuries, sick birds, and turkeys forced to live among dead or dying flockmates.
“In 2019 Animal Justice Project investigated Pastures Poultry farm and its onsite slaughterhouse, which was marketed as having the highest welfare standards. The reality was quite different with live plucking and the scalding of live birds carried out.
“Born around September time, most turkeys will spend their painfully short lives in cramped industrial sheds – up to 25,000 birds may be confined to just one shed. The poor birds also struggle to cope with forced unnatural weight gain and their legs often fracture beneath them.”
Under the heading ‘call to action, Animal Rights Justice claims: “Turkeys are intelligent, curious, and sensitive animals capable of forming close bonds and expressing emotions.
“Yet, every year, millions endure short, grim lives in intensive farms only to be slaughtered for holiday feasts. They deserve so much more. Animal Justice Project urges the public to choose kindness this Christmas by leaving animals off their plates.
“Embracing plant-based dishes not only spares lives but aligns with a growing movement toward sustainability and compassion.
Background:
Animal Justice Project is an animal rights organisation based in the UK with over 200,000 followers across social media platforms and a ten year history of campaigning to end animal agriculture and exploitation. www.animaljusticeproject.com
SPECIESISM.WTF is an animal rights organisation specialising in creative and compelling art installations. By exploring the theme of speciesism, they aim to ignite a collective consciousness that recognises the inherent worth of non-human beings, regardless of their species. They believe all should be given equal consideration and rights. www.speciesism.wtf
