Joanna Gustafson

Despite swirling snow and icy temperatures hovering around twenty degrees, a dedicated group of protestors--roughly two dozen--stand their ground outside popular eatery Bin 36. The activists are protesting Bin 36's continued offering of foie gras, which has been banned in Chicago since last April. Under the law, any establishment selling foie gras will be subject to a $500 fine, but Bin 36 claims that they are "giving away" foie gras by including it in an expensive salad. Bryan Pease, organizer of the protest and an attorney and volunteer for the Animal Protection and Rescue League, says "If people want to eat something I think is gross, that's their choice. But these restaurants are breaking the law."

"In Chicago, this issue has been distorted," Pease continues. "It has become an issue of personal choice, and we just want to educate people about what kind of treatment these animals go through." When asked why people should care about this issue, especially since there are several other animals obviously killed for human consumption, Pease says, "People generally care about animals, and they should draw the line at torture."

Foie gras has been a controversial delicacy for some time. Geese and ducks are force-fed until their stomachs or livers literally burst. Chicago is not the first city to ban the dish--California recently passed a law making it illegal in 2012 and already most restaurants in San Diego will no longer serve it.

A French camera crew from TF1--the nation's largest network--winds among the bundled up protestors, filming the demonstration and prodding its participants for answers.

Volunteers holding signs covered with pictures of bloodied ducks and geese take turns hopping into a waiting car to warm up. "Most restaurants will remove the item from their menu to avoid a protest," Pease explains.

"I think it's great [that they're protesting]," says Bin 36 owner Dan Sachs. "That's exactly the way they should be reacting. They have every right to protest--they're exercising their civil liberties, and the restaurant is completely supportive of that."

Sachs also says, however, that he has no plans to alter Bin 36's menu.

"There haven't been enough protests in Chicago," Pease says, "and that's why we are here."

(2007-01-30)

Also by Joanna Gustafson

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