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Animal rights advocates had been targeting the Smithsonian Institute for several weeks after it announced plans to hold a program called "Foie Gras: A Gourmets Passion" on Sept. 21. Foie Gras is produced by force feeding ducks or geese. Animal rights groups maintain the practice is cruel.
Rather than citing its agreement with this argument, however, the Smithsonian cited concern for the safety of visitors as the main reason for canceling the program. "Because we are always concerned with the well-being of our participants, we have regretfully concluded that it would be in the best interests of everyone involved to cancel the program," said Mara Mayor, director of the Smithsonian Associates. Michael Gilnor, owner of Hudson Valley Foie Gras and a scheduled speaker for the event, accused the animal rights groups of inciting fear of violence to force the Smithsonian to cancel the program.
"What these people are doing are terrorist acts," said Gilnor. "They use means that are close to terrorists but without the blood."
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, one of the main groups opposing the program, said it has never engaged in terrorism. "We have made no threats whatsoever," said Michael McGraw. "We would most likely dress up as ducks or geese and hold up signs." Of course they might also decide to light bales of hay on fire in an act of arson as happened in two recent PETA protests. Still McGraw is technically correct that PETA doesnt commit terrorist acts they just show up conveniently after terrorist acts have been committed and provide legal and financial support for terrorists.