When the entertainers were announced for the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts had initially been assigned to be on the South Dakota float.

West River ranchers learned that Jett is a vegan and strong supporter of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and they didn't feel that a state that is reliant on farming and ranching, should have someone with her beliefs representing our state in a parade that would be watched by 50-million people, so they complained to Macy's. As a side note, the entertainer on the 2012 South Dakota float was 'American Pie' singer Don McLean. Little known fact: McLean is a vegan. Ranchers had no complaints last year and no one found it strange that a vegan was the entertainer on the state float.

Despite the parade being for entertainment purposes only and not a political statement, Macy's agreed to switch Jett to another float and in fact Jett issued a statement that she wanted to be moved to another float.

So who DID replace Jett on the South Dakota float? A band called " The Summer Set".

Oddly enough, when you google "The Summer Set" and "Vegan" you get taken to the PETA website which has the following post:

"What’s cooler than Scottsdale, Ariz.’s The Summer Set? Knowing that vocalist Brian Dales and bass player Josh Montgomery are vegetarian and have tons of love for their adopted pups! Brian and Josh believe that eating a vegetarian diet is a “higher evolved way of living.” In this day and age, with so many delicious alternatives to meat readily available, there’s no need to continue consuming the flesh of animals to maintain a protein-rich, well-balanced diet. In fact, a meatless diet is better for your overall health and the environment. Every person that maintains a vegetarian diet saves more than 100 animals a year, lives a much healthier life, and helps reduce climate change. It’s a more highly evolved way of living, indeed!"

Congratulations to those who complained. We get to make national headlines. Twice. Over a parade.

 

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