“I object to animal cruelty, environmental destruction, the exploitation of slaughterhouse workers, and the deep wounds inflicted upon rural communities by the factory farming industry.”

Joaquin Phoenix is urging people to forgo turkey this Thanksgiving.

The multiple award-winning actor has signed ‘a more compassionate Thanksgiving by leaving turkey off my dinner plate’ pledge created by Farm Sanctuary – America’s first farm animal sanctuary and advocacy organization.

‘Compassionate Thanksgiving’

The pledge reads: “I object to animal cruelty, environmental destruction, the exploitation of slaughterhouse workers, and the deep wounds inflicted upon rural communities by the factory farming industry.

“As such, I will join Farm Sanctuary in celebrating a more compassionate Thanksgiving by leaving turkey off my dinner plate.”

Alec Baldwin, Alan Cumming, Edie Falco, Daisy Fuentes, and Rooney Mara are other celebrities who’ve signed the pledge.

According to the Farm Sanctuary, this simple act will help save an estimated 46 million turkeys who will be killed for Thanksgiving alone.

‘Inequities of factory farming’

The organization added that going turkey -free this festive season is even more important, after the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic has exposed “the inequities of factory farming.”

The group states on its website: “The true cost of eating animals has never been more stark.

“Our modern food system doesn’t just hurt the animals. It hurts workers, our communities, and the environment, too.”

As such signing the pledge will also “serve as a symbol of protest against animal agriculture’s role in the devastation of our ecosystem.”

The pledge also “acknowledges the workers who’ve been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 as a result of the factory farming industry’s shameful disregard for employee safety.”

Adopt a Turkey program

Turkey lovers can still make the bird a part of their big day by partaking in Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt a Turkey program. 

A $35 donation from you will symbolically adopt one of the sanctuary’s turkeys, who have been rescued from slaughter.

Sign the pledge

The pledge is open to everyone. Farm Sanctuary will email you a free holiday e-cookbook by Wicked Healthy, filled with vegan recipes that are perfect for Thanksgiving after you’ve signed the pledge at Farm Sanctuary’s website.

Share this story to encourage others to have a turkey-free Thanksgiving this year.