According to Metal Injection, PETA has made an unusual but attention-grabbing appeal to ALICE IN CHAINS: change the band’s name to “Betty In Chains” across social media for one month. The goal is to shine a spotlight on Betty, a 56-year-old disabled elephant that PETA is currently trying to rescue from a life of nonstop circus performances.
Betty reportedly performs in around 300 shows every year, despite her age, disabilities, and decades of physical strain. PETA says she has “literally spent her life in chains,” and hopes that borrowing the band’s iconic name will help amplify her story to millions who may not be aware of her situation.
PETA Senior Vice President of Communications Lisa Lange said: “By the time grunge swept Seattle, Betty had already spent nearly twenty years suffering as a circus prop, and every day that passes with her being hauled from town to town and forced to perform brings her closer to the brink of death. PETA is encouraging ALICE IN CHAINS to get loud for Betty with a temporary name change that reminds everyone to Stay Away from animal-abusing circuses.”
The organization’s full letter to the band reads: Dear Jerry, Sean, Mike, and William, coming to you with a wonderfully strange request from us at PETA. Would ALICE IN CHAINS be willing to go by Betty in Chains across social media — for a month — to spotlight a dear elephant who literally spends her life in chains?
“In a nutshell, we’re turning up the volume on our efforts to rescue an elderly, disabled elephant named Betty, who is being forced to perform in roughly 300 circuses each year. Betty‘s over 56 years old, was taken as a baby from Thailand, and has been used in circuses for more than five decades. An elephant expert who recently examined Betty warns that she faces a fatal collapse if not immediately retired to a reputable sanctuary.
“By lending (a version of) your iconic name, you could set the stage for freedom, amplify her story to millions, and change the course of history for all animals used in circuses. Will you help us show the world that Betty‘s not fighting this battle alone? Let’s make some noise, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)”
Anyone wishing to support Betty the elephant can do so by visiting this link.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time PETA has attempted this type of awareness-raising stunt. Just this past October, the group approached Robert Plant, suggesting he temporarily rename himself “Robert Plant Wool” for November — tying into their Plant Wool Month campaign promoting plant-based alternatives to wool.
In that letter, PETA highlighted yarns made from hemp, cotton, orange waste, and other eco-friendly fibers, while underscoring the ethical and environmental issues associated with the wool and cashmere industries.
As PETA’s Elisa Allen explained, “Plant Wool Month celebrates yarns that are animal-free, plastic-free, and sustainable, promoting fashion choices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect animals.”
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