PETA ad draws criticism

JACKSONVILLE, FL - Norfolk-based animal rights group PETA has launched a new ad campaign which is drawing some criticism. The ad compares an overweight woman in a bathing suit to a whale -- implying overweight women are whales. The ad's text reads: Save the Whales. Lose the Blubber: Go Vegetarian.

The billboard can be seen in Jacksonville, Florida and PETA claims the ad pushes to encourage a healthy diet without animal meat.

During an interview with WJXT reporter Scott Johnson, PETA representative Ashley Byrne says the ad is "taking a provacative and humorous approach to grabbing people's attention."

"People are bombarded with ads for foods that make them fat and unhealthy. PETA's ad campaign is empowering for consumers because it highlights that a vegetarian diet is the best way to battle the bulge," Byrne continued.

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