Alec Baldwin Joins activist Campaign Condemning Radio City’s โฃLive Animal Nativity
NEW YORK, NY โค – Actor Alec Baldwin has lent hisโข voice to a growing campaign spearheaded by PETA and โNYCLASS, condemning โthe use of live animals in Radio city Music Hall’s annual Christmas Breathtaking “Living Nativity” scene. Baldwin appears in new activist โคadvertisements โฃcriticizing the production as exploitative andโค urging โsponsors to withdraw support.
The campaign comes asโข animal rights groups intensify pressure on Radioโข City after a 91-year tradition, arguing the animals endure stressful conditions andโ needless confinement. PETA alleges animals are “essentially kept in basements and back rooms” during theโ show’s run, whileโข NYCLASS contends they are โ”confined, trucked around and forced to perform under blinding lights and loud music.”
Radio City maintains the animals’โฃ safety is a priority, stating they receive “remarkable round-the-clock care” throughout the show’s limited run.โ Though, the location of the upstate animal sanctuary providing the โanimals was not disclosed to The post.
PETA’s renewedโ effort targets sponsors Chase,โค Lexus, and Verizon, demanding they cease support until the use of live animals is discontinued. โคA petition toโ ban live animals from the show has already garnered over 30,610 signatures.
“The true spirit of Christmas is about peace and compassion,โ and exploiting animals for entertainment goes againstโ that,” said NYCLASS executive director Edita Birnkrant.
The push against live animals in New york City events mirrors similarโ campaigns that led to a ban on wild animals in circuses in 2017, following action byโ New Yorkers and the โขCityโฃ Council. Activists point to events like St. John theโฃ Divine’s annual Blessing of the Animals andโ a controversial art exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum as further examples of evolving attitudes toward animal welfare in public displays.
