PETA slammed after group rallies against cicadas ending up on menus as delicacy amid emergence of broods

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA: The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is protesting against the consumption of cicadas after a New Orleans insectarium included the bugs on its menu.

However, the netizens didn't seem to agree with the animal rights nonprofit organization, making it clear that they didn't appreciate PETA interfering in people's dining choices.

PETA seeks to remind people that insects are thinking, feeling beings

In April, the Audubon Insectarium in New Orleans introduced cicada-based dishes, including a green salad with apple, almonds, and blueberry vinaigrette, as well as roasted cicadas, for its 'Bug Appetit' cafe, as per DailyMail. 

This comes as groups of cicadas are expected to emerge in the Spring as the soil reaches 64 degrees. As per CBS News, even though the emergence varies according to location, they are expected sometime in May or early June. 

No sooner, PETA started protesting against what they see as the murder of the insects.

Activists from the organization staged a pop-up "humanitarian" exhibit featuring people dressed as giant cicadas on Thursday, May 2. These human insects were seen pretending to feast on a "realistic spread of organic, free-range human flesh" with signs that read, "What if the tables were turned?"

In a press release, PETA explained, "The eye-catching exhibition will remind viewers that insects are thinking, feeling beings who, like humans, don’t want to die."

Tracy Reiman, PETA Executive Vice President, stated, "By killing and cooking insects while purporting to educate people about them, the Audubon Insectarium is being as hypocritical as the Audubon Zoo would be if it served burgers made of lions and tigers."

She stressed, "Cicadas feel pain, just as humans do, and PETA encourages everyone to show them and all other sentient beings compassion by keeping animals off their plates, whether they have four legs, six legs, or none at all."

Internet slams PETA over their 'absurd' protest for cicadas

A netizen wrote, "If you don't like the idea, then don't eat them. No need to make a drama out of it," and another added, "And it's stuff like this which is why I don't donate to them anymore."

"I have dead and dying cicadas all over my deck and yard. They're going to die anyway, so what's wrong with eating them if you want to. I don't want to, btw," expressed a person. 

Someone else remarked, "I'm a veggie, but i don't like peta or anyone who pushes their food police ideas on others. eat what you like and enjoy!"

"These people get more absurd by the day," exclaimed one more, and an individual stated, "Oh for crying out loud…get a grip PETA!"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.