T-R photo by Thomas Nelson — Meatless May is calling on people all over to boycott mass produced meat to protest conditions at plants during the pandemic.

As meatpacking plants across the nation are forced to reopen, support for a Meatless May grows.

At least 14 meatpacking plants were forced to reopen last week in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Nebraska, Minnesota, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin. Now a group of activists have called for a Meatless May to boycott corporately produced meat. 

Across the country new organizations have joined in to the Meatless May movement including  Main Street Vegan Victoria Moran and Factory Farming Awareness Coalition (FAAC).

The call for a Meatless May boycott came after a reported COVID-19 outbreak at the JBS plant in Marshalltown and other meatpacking plants around Iowa.

“The main reason why the numbers in Marshall County are so high is due to this packing plant,” said Karen Sanchez. “If this packing plant would’ve taken more measures earlier on their numbers would be less.” 

She grew up in Marshalltown and her parents used to work at JBS and many of her friends still work there. 

“I know they’ve taken appropriate measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 since then,” Sanchez said. 

Her mother had COVID-19 and is now recovering from the virus. 

“My mom did not get COVID-19 from working at the plant. She stopped working there over a year ago,” Sanchez said. “It was hard, she had to isolate.”

Sanchez supports Meatless May and thinks people should avoid meat for the rest of the year. She sees a lot of positives in general to eating less meat, including its benefits to the environment. 

“Limiting your meat consumption saves a lot of water,” Sanchez said. It also limits the methane going into the air.

A lot of the workers at JBS who are sick haven’t been able to get regular sick pay, Sanchez said. “They’re only getting the disability which is a mere $275 a week minus taxes, minus insurance, minus social security. They’re pretty much left with nothing.” 

The Defense Production Act was used by President Donald Trump to keep meat plants across Iowa running while the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked outbreaks in plants. 

“This isn’t just a Latino issue or a situation that only affects Iowans,” said Joe Henry, League of Latin American Citizens (LULAC) of Iowa. “We’re talking about the value of peoples’ lives versus the need to eat a porkchop during this dangerous pandemic. Until meat can be produced while also protecting the plant workers, the cost of that pork chop is just too high. When other organizations hear our message, they agree with us.” 

Their goal is dignity through sustainable production by having mandatory COVID-19 testing at plants, a reduction in work speed, more workspace for social distancing, full-paid sick leave, no out-of-pocket costs for health care and plexiglass between line workers. 

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Contact Thomas Nelson at tnelson@timesrepublican.com