In downtown Miami, baby pigs Glinda and Elphaba were the stars of a public event that granted them pardons from being served as traditional “lechon asado” during holiday dinners, including Christmas Eve celebrations. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava pardoned the two piglets, named after characters from the musical “Wicked,” in a local twist on the White House tradition of pardoning turkeys at Thanksgiving. The 4-month-old pigs will now spend their full 12 to 15 years at an animal sanctuary south of Miami, safe from being barbecued whole like many of their kind during holiday feasts.
During the ceremony outside Latin Cafe 2000, Glinda and Elphaba didn’t seem too interested in the attention from the crowd or the event itself. The piglets mainly focused on munching apple and orange slices when offered and tried to nibble on the plastic grass lining their enclosure. Without the pardons, they could have easily been prepared in various ways, including being cooked whole in underground pits, on spits, or in special metal boxes as part of traditional Cuban holiday celebrations. Levine Cava humorously presented the proclamation granting the piglets amnesty from the usual fate for pigs during the holidays, highlighting the contrast between the festive atmosphere and the common practice of consuming pork during this time of the year.
The idea for the pardoning event originated as a joke among staff at Latin Cafe 2000 after seeing news coverage of the presidential Thanksgiving turkey pardon, as turkey is not a common holiday dish in Miami where pork, particularly roast pork, is more popular. The owner of the restaurant, Eric Castellanos, and his children Rico and Alessandra named the piglets Glinda and Elphaba, adding a fun element to the ceremony. The event attracted a few dozen people, including Abbi Erkes, who recently moved to Miami and appreciated learning about the local diversity and cultural traditions from her friends, including the significance of pigs in Cuban and Latin cultures.
After the ceremony, Glinda and Elphaba were taken to their new home at an animal sanctuary, becoming the 12th and 13th pigs to receive pardons over the years. As the plastic grass in their enclosure remained undisturbed, the piglets seemed to adjust to their newfound status as spared from the dinner table. The playful and somewhat whimsical event added a lighthearted touch to the holiday season, showcasing a mix of tradition, humor, and cultural awareness in the local Miami community. The event served as a reminder of the importance of empathy and compassion towards animals, even those typically considered as food sources, aligning with the growing trend of promoting ethical treatment of animals and sustainable food practices. As Glinda and Elphaba settled into their sanctuary life, they represented a symbolic victory for animal welfare and conservation efforts amid ongoing debates about the ethics of consuming meat and pork products.
