PETA's viral Thanksgiving post features a turkey 'family' feasting on human. Internet has thoughts

Thanksgiving was celebrated on November 23 this year. (Image: @peta/X)

Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated with much gusto, especially in the US and Canada. The day marks the celebration of the harvest and other blessings of the past year. It was observed on November 23 this year.

No festival is complete without food and the most traditional item that is consumed on Thanksgiving is turkey. The big bird represents the holiday and is quite literally the visual icon. However, with a rise in the popularity of veganism and several animal rights movement, consumption of turkey is condemned by various sections. One of them was People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) as well.

On Wednesday, PETA took to X (formerly Twitter) to raise awareness about the protection of turkeys by sharing an unusual picture of a ‘family’ of turkeys dressed as humans. They were all holding hands and were gathered around a table. A large platter of human meat was present in the middle on a bed of salad with other dishes placed around.

“We're lucky turkeys would never do this to us - you don't have to do it to them, either,” read the caption of the post.

We’re lucky turkeys would never do this to us—you don’t have to do it to them, either.

Art by @freebison pic.twitter.com/StSJlbxgte

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— PETA (@peta) November 22, 2023

The post has amassed over 47 million views since being shared online and has gone quite viral.

However, a community note below the post mentioned that turkeys are not vegetarians and eat anything that can fit in their mouth. “Turkeys are not vegetarians. Turkeys eat mice, lizards, frogs, and just about anything they can fit in their mouth. If turkeys were larger or had the technological means to farm and eat humans, their current diet reveals they likely would,” the note read.

The viral post by PETA triggered an array of reactions from social media users and a debate ensued.

“Do you ever post about how many birds are killed by wind turbines?” a user questioned. Another user commented, “Hey just a little FYI as someone who raises birds. They would 100% do this to you, and their own.”

“That’s why I like my place on the food chain, at the top. I also don’t swim in the ocean or go beating around the jungle with a pork chop tied around my neck. Humans are omnivores. You don’t have to eat meat. You don’t get to make that choice for anyone else,” a third user wrote.

“I’m a vegetarian and I agree. Let people be. Follow your FAITH, morals and ethics but don’t shove them on everyone,” a fourth user remarked.