Today, PETA sent a letter to the mayor of Fishkill, Kathleen Martin, offering to donate the group’s first-of-its-kind Fish Empathy Quilt for the city to display in order to counteract its violent name and promote friendliness to fish instead. PETA’s quilt has made a splash nationwide, including during a monthlong stay at Eureka City Hall in California—and if Fishkill agrees to be the quilt’s next stop, PETA will arrange for a delivery of delicious fish-free meals and an appearance from its crowd-pleasing Tiffany Tuna mascot at the festive unveiling event.

Panels from PETA’s Fish Empathy Quilt. Credit: PETA

“Fish are smart, empathetic, and playful beings who deserve the same consideration and care as humans, dogs, and every other animal,” says PETA Senior Vice President Colleen O’Brien. “PETA hopes Fishkill will champion this quilt, pay tribute to the billions of aquatic animals killed each year in the fishing industry, and tip the scales toward humane vegan meals.”

The Fish Empathy Quilt measures more than 300 square feet and is composed of more than 100 unique, handcrafted squares from PETA members and supporters, including cartoonist Harry Bliss and oceanographic explorer and film producer Jean-Michel Cousteau.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org, listen to The PETA Podcast, or follow the group on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to Martin follows.

December 8, 2023

The Honorable Kathleen Martin

Mayor of Fishkill

Dear Mayor Martin:

I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals—PETA entities have more than 9 million members and supporters worldwide—with a suggestion that would show everyone that Fishkill is fish-friendly. We do realize that “kill” there means “creek” or “stream” and always did, but that’s not the way the public perceives the name, of course, as we pointed out back in 2005 when we asked your predecessor to change the town’s name to Fishsave. That idea sank like a lead weight, but now we have a new concept that we hope you’ll reely embrace. We’d love to loan a thought-provoking and historically significant item to display at the Office of the Village Clerk or elsewhere in the city: the world’s first and only Fish Empathy Quilt. It has been well received and has made quite a splash in towns from California to Alaska. So, can its next stop be in Fishkill?

The quilt is a vibrant, creative depiction of compassion for fish and other marine life. It features more than 100 unique squares contributed by individuals from around the country. Collectively, they’ve created an artwork that continues to grow as people’s sensitivity to the plight of animals increases. It consists of six sections of varying dimensions, which can be displayed separately or clipped together as one large quilt (over 300 square feet).

Ever more people are concerned these days about the unsustainable global fishing industry. Because of this increased awareness, the market for vegan seafood is projected to reach $1.6 billion in the next 10 years. An ocean of evidence demonstrates that fish suffer enormously when they’re dragged from their homes in nets or impaled with metal hooks. Just like dogs and cats, fish have individual personalities. They communicate with each other, show affection by gently rubbing against one another, and are extremely resourceful and intelligent. More and more people are realizing that fish deserve to be treated with kindness. PETA’s Fish Empathy Quilt beautifully reflects this awareness.

In November, three of the quilt’s panels were exhibited outside the Council Chambers at Eureka City Hall in California. Fishkill would be the quilt’s perfect next stop! We’d be happy to offer delicious fish-free meals and even a visit from our mascot Tiffany Tuna, who could hand out free coloring books and crayons to children at the unveiling or launch. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you for your consideration.

Very truly yours,

Ingrid Newkirk
President