GOLDEN GIRL VS GOLDEN ARCHES

FROM BEAYOND THE GRAVE, GOLDEN GIRL TARGETS GOLDEN ARCHES

Bequest in Bea Arthur's Will Leads to PETA Campaign Against McDonald's

Chicago — When she was alive, Bea Arthur was one of PETA's most stalwart supporters, and now—through a provocative campaign that PETA is launching thanks to a bequest in her will—Bea will remain an activist even in death.

This week, to mark the first anniversary of Bea's passing, PETA is featuring the Golden Girl in an ad targeting the Golden Arches. Specifically, the ad criticizes McDonald's for refusing to require its suppliers to end their outdated chicken-slaughter practices. "McCruelty: It's enough to make Bea Arthur roll over in her grave," reads the ad, which debuts this Thursday on a full page in the Chicago Tribune (McDonald's is based in nearby Oak Brook, Ill.).

Beneath a photo of Bea looking scornful, the text of the ad reveals how McDonald's is resisting switching to a less violent, USDA-approved chicken-slaughter method: "With this new system, millions of birds would be spared broken legs and wings and being scalded to death in defeathering tanks. It's even supported by McDonald's own animal welfare advisors. But it seems that McDonald's CEO Jim Skinner is too cheap to switch to this method. Mr. Skinner, as Bea Arthur's character Maude would say, 'God'll get you for that.'"

This Thursday, when the ad debuts in Chicago, PETA members will lead a spirited protest in Bea's honor outside the McDonald's restaurant on Clark Street in downtown Chicago at 12 noon. The Emmy- and Tony Award–winning actor, who was born in New York City, died last April 25 in Los Angeles. She was 86.

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