Breaking! Christina Ricci, Bill Maher & Ethan Hawke Are Among Many Well-Known Names Urging New Jersey Legislators To Ban Cruel Pig Gestation & Veal Crates

Christina Ricci, Stevie Van Zandt, Bill Maher, Paul Wesley, Chelsea Handler, Debbie Harry, and Ethan Hawke are among the dozens of recognizable names that signed an open letter from Animal Legal Defense Fund, urging the state’s legislators to end the intensive confinement of mother pigs and calves in New Jersey.

Companion bills S.3401, sponsored by New Jersey Senator Vin Gopal, and A.5236, sponsored by Assemblyman Raj Mukherj, would ban gestation crates and veal crates, mandating that mother pigs and calves have enough space to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs. Similar legislation passed twice before, only to be vetoed by then Governor Christie, despite overwhelming bipartisan backing by state residents and lawmakers.

Emphasizing that gestation crates and veal crates are “inherently cruel,” the letter further explained that the inhumane crates severely restrict the animal’s movement, to the point of virtual immobilization. As a result, the poor animals suffer from both physical pain and psychological illnesses.

Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Executive Director Stephen Wells also explained in a statement, that the animals’ suffering combined with the growing demand by consumers for increased compassion and transparency in how farmed animals are raised, are further reasons why “now is the time for New Jersey to ban the crates.”  

The letter continues, “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how intensive confinement of mass numbers of animals in cramped spaces can create a breeding ground for zoonotic disease. Ensuring that the cruel confinement of mother pigs and baby calves is prohibited in New Jersey is a matter of animal cruelty prevention and a proactive step in safeguarding public safety.”

Over 30 local and national organizations are working together to ban the intensive confinement of mother pigs and baby calves in New Jersey and to prevent future pandemics.

New Jersey Residents: Please help end the intensive confinement of mother pigs, as well as calves used for veal in New Jersey by urging state legislators to support S.3401/A.5236. Please email and call your senators by clicking HERE!

You can help all animals and our planet by choosing compassion on your plate and in your glass. #GoVeg