000771 Judge Blocks Anti-Meat Cow From Art ExhibitJuly 31, 2000New York, NY - A federal judge upheld a ban against an animal rights group's attempt to force New York City to allow a fiberglass cow bearing anti- meat statements in a Big Apple art exhibit. U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero denied a motion by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) that would have allowed its exhibit -- a cow bearing slogans against animal cruelty and eating meat. PETA argued the ban violated the group's free speech. The exhibit, called CowParade, began June 15 and ends Sept. 3. It includes about 500 life-sized fiberglass cows which have been decorated and placed in various public areas throughout the city. The cows, which are sponsored by a variety of groups, can be found around the city. In front of the federal courthouse is an upright cow in judicial robes wielding a gavel, while a well- dressed cow poses at the doors of Bloomingdale's flagship store. The PETA cow was among four designs that were rejected by an organizing committee; another was “Moni-Cow Lewinsky” a caricature of Monica Lewinsky. “This case presents a unique question: whether a cow is a forum or a forum a cow, and then when and where such cow/forum may be found,” Marrero said. He found that CowParade was not a traditional public forum such as a street or park that are open to assembly and debate. Instead, the judge ruled that it was a type of forum that can be created for a limited purpose and does not have to meet the same free speech standards. A PETA spokesman said the group had not yet seen the ruling but would pursue its case. The committee allowed PETA to put up another cow in Manhattan's Greenwich Village that is dressed in faux leather boots, jacket and pants. Notorious London rubberwear designer Pigalle, whose fashions are sold at fetish shops, unveiled the entry last month.
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