Animal rights activist will have specific body parts sent to world leaders when she dies
A leading animal rights activist has announced that she wants parts of her body to be sent to world leaders after she dies in a bid to protest animal cruelty.
Ingrid Newkirk, the founder of PETA [People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals] has included some grisly requests in her will.
Ms Newkirk said of her unusual will: "On his deathbed, they asked Bob Hope where he wanted to be buried and he apparently replied, 'surprise me'.
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"In my case, when I die, I hope to keep on surprising those who harm animals, provoking conversation about speciesism, and campaigning against animal abuse."
But who exactly is on her list of recipients?
1. 'Carve out and sear some of my flesh to fry up with onions for a human barbecue'
Newkirk said: "Flesh is flesh. Mine is given, not taken."
PETA hopes that this stunt will be enough to put people off their steaks and 'jolt diners into kindness'.
I reckon it'll jolt something alright. Namely people's dinners out of their mouths.
2. 'Send one eye to NIH [National Institutes of Health] and the other to the UK Home Office for wasting time and taxpayer money on animal experiments'
Newkirk wants one eye to remain in the US, watching over the NIH, and her other in the UK with the Home Office.
According to PETA's website, half of the NIH's budget goes towards funding animal experiments.
Over in the UK, the Home Office stands accused of licensing experiments on animals.
3. 'Peel off and cure my skin to fashion into a leather belt and purse'
Newkirk wants to see an end to animal flesh being used in fashion, and hopes that her own flesh being made into accessories will send a clear message.
On the PETA website, they advocate for the use of vegan leather, which is made up of pineapple leaves, cork and apple peel.
4. 'Use my intestines for sausage casings and send them to Salt Bae'
Gökçe may have restaurants in many far flung areas in the world, but Newkirk would rather see a world where everyone switched to vegan food.
PETA insist that a vegan diet is most beneficial for animal's wellbeing and human health.
5. 'Break, then display my leg at the Kentucky Derby or the Grand National for all the horses they maim'
PETA are very critical of horse racing as a sport, pointing to injuries during the races as evidence of animal cruelty.
On their website, they write: "Newkirk hopes her broken leg will help end this abusive cycle."
6. 'Use my foot to fashion a human umbrella stand'
As a child, Newkirk saw a lot of elephant feet carved out to become umbrella stands, in addition to tiger rugs and other household objects molded from animal carcasses.
These are just a few of the bizarre requests Newkirk has made in her will.
The 73-year-old activist has added in an additional request - that part of her neck be sent to King Charles lest he cease his involvement with pigeon racing. This is in reference to the fact that the necks of losing birds are often wrung.
The President of the USA and the King of Spain should also be expecting some deliveries their way too, as Newkirk has their cards marked.
Whether or not these will go any way in advancing the cause of animal rights or turning people vegan is up for debate.
But what's for certain is that Newkirk's team will have an interesting time fulfilling her wishes when she passes away.
UNILAD have reached out to NIH, the Home Office and Buckingham Palace for comment.
Topics: Animal Cruelty, Animals, Vegan, Politics
Ben Thompson