Activists in Kazakhstan Ask Citizens to Stop Eating Horse Meat

Sad situation that Kazakhstan is another country that insists on killing and eating horse. Let’s hope this raises awareness to some there to stop the unnecessary practice.

Article:

Borat-influenced U.K. animal rights activists urge Kazakhs to stop eating horse meat

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/12/asia/
AS_GEN_Kazakhstan_Lettuce_Ladies.php

The Associated Press
Published: December 12, 2006

ALMATY, Kazakhstan: Two Borat-inspired British animal rights activists clad in lettuce bikinis braved the winter chill in the Kazakh commercial capital Almaty on Tuesday, urging Kazakhs to stop eating horse meat and to turn vegetarian.

The activists from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, said their message was positive, unlike the hit spoof movie "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan."

"The Borat film is ridiculing Kazakhstan, but we come with a positive message: how to live a healthier, longer life" said Yvonne Taylor, one of the two Lettuce Ladies, her teeth chattering as they stood in Almaty's main square in freezing temperatures.

The Borat film, which features a rowdy Kazakh journalist played by British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, drew huge international media attention to the obscure former Soviet republic, as well as complaints from the Kazakh government that the country was not shown in a favorable light.

Kazakh authorities later changed their softened their stance and invited Cohen to visit

PETA was apparently trying to capitalize on the fact that the movie's main character, Borat, falls in love with the actress Pamela Anderson, who Taylor said is PETA's most famous "Sexy 'Lettuce Lady."

"Lettuce ladies" wear lettuce leaves and encourage people around the world to eat a vegetarian diet. Another actress, Alyssa Milano, wore a lettuce gown for an ad for PETA in Europe.

Regarding the two activists in Kazakhstan Tuesday, PETA said in a statement that "The scantily clad beauties are asking the people of Almaty to mark the New Year by switching from dishes like beshbarmak (horse meat and noodles) and zhambas (baked sheep's head) to healthy and humane meatless alternatives."

The activists held small blue Kazakh national flags and signs that read: "Let Vegetarianism Grow on You."

"We are OK, just about," said activist Lucy Groom by the end of their 30-minute action. "We are suffering because we care about animals. We believe that people of Kazakhstan also care about animals."

While some thought the colorful protest was fun, others were angered.

"This is disgrace," said 74-year-old Orazbek Ziyakhanov of the activists' outfits. "Don't we have enough of our own spoiled girls? This is not Europe, this is Asia."