Words by Riley Fitzgerald
Graphic by Linda McCartney

Paul McCartney has hit out at the meat industry in a new public statement.

The former Beatle‘s words arrive via animal rights advocate PETA‘s official website.

The statement arrives a week prior to Paul McCartney’s 78th birthday on June 18.

“All I’ve ever wanted for my birthday is peace on Earth,” Paul contends, “including for animals. That’s why this year, I’m urging fans to watch a video I hosted for PETA, titled ‘Glass Walls.’”

“We called it that because if slaughterhouses had glass walls,” McCartney continues, “who would want to eat meat?”

A practicing vegetarian, Paul McCartney has not eaten meat since 1975.

“The video debuted exactly 10 years ago,” he adds. “Since then, the public has finally gotten a peek at what happens inside the meat trade, and the demand for vegan food is sky-high. Whether you’re worried about diseases that spring from slaughterhouses, the animals who suffer terribly and needlessly, or the catastrophic impact of the meat industry on our environment, please watch this short video and share it with your friends. Thank you.”

Glass Walls has been viewed more than 20 million times since it was first made available to the public.

“[Glass Walls] is as relevant as ever,” PETA writes in an accompanying statement. “Because if slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegan.”

Paul’s re-endorsement of Glass Walls follows a number of other recent pro-vegetarian activities.

In 2019 the Beatle penned an open letter in support of the McCartney Family’s #MeatFreeMondays campaign.

“The planet is under huge pressure and the choices we make have never been more important,” the 77-year-old implored. “Meat Free Monday is compassionate to animals, it’s very good for your health and moreover in this context it’s damn good for the planet. The truth is there are lot of delicious plant-based options available so it’s not a difficult thing to do.”

He also co-published The Meat Free Monday Cookbook with daughters Stella McCartney and Mary McCartney.

Read the letter along with Paul McCartney’s meat-free recipes here.