PETA protests 'Survivor' television show

June 16, 2000
Web posted at: 7:54 p.m. EDT (2354 GMT)

NEW YORK (CNN)-- "Rats have rights! Survive on Veggies!" was the rallying cry of eight demonstrators outside of CBS' Manhattan studios Friday morning.

Members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, one of them dressed in a giant rat suit, picketed the network because contestants on its hit adventure game show, "Survivor," roasted rats and ate them on this week's episode. The rats were eaten, along with a stingray on the Wednesday night installment.

RaeLeeann Smith, a PETA spokeswoman said, CBS should show ways of surviving on an island "using the rich vegetation, not by abusing rats and stingrays." CBS did not return CNN's calls regarding PETA's picket.

"Survivor" has been a big summer hit for CBS. More than 23 million people watched Wednesday night.

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People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
CBS
CBS Survivor II

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