Larry the lobster made an appearance at G-Monkey vegan fast food restaurant in West Hartford, Connecticut on September 27 to hand out flyers and discounted vegan meals to local residents, encouraging them to try compassionate alternatives to eating lobster. The event was to observe National Lobster Day, which unfortunately has been traditionally used to celebrate lobster eating, not caring about lobsters inherently.

Lobsters are beautiful, sentient animals, meaning they can experience a myriad of feelings and sensations. Lobsters captured and sold by the fishing industry suffer from being pulled from their underwater homes and exposed to light, air, and temperatures that they are not accustomed to. By the time they reach the grocery store, their claws are bound, which can lead to muscular atrophy. During their time at stores, these lobsters go hungry as they are not fed. These lobsters are eventually boiled alive, and since they do not have the ability to go into shock, they feel everything. Is it really worth all that suffering caused to someone else for just one meal?

At G-Monkey, Larry the human-sized lobster waved to passing cars and engaged people walking by on the street, encouraging them to try a “chickpea of the sea” poke bowl or the classic zen burger. The lobster was met with enthusiastic waves, and many people stopped by to ask about lobster sentience and the vegan food available.

In Defense of Animals will continue to work to protect lobsters and other crustaceans, to encourage compassion toward animals whose plights may not garner as much attention as other animals, and work to share with others just how easy it can be to be vegan!