Photo by Greg Cristman
Gregory R. Cristman

South Dakota doesn't want vegetarian Joan Jett on their Macy's T-Day float; she'll perform on another in parade

Joan Jett at Cherie Currie’s recent Long Island show (more by Greg Cristman)
Joan Jett

Joan Jett was supposed to appear with her band on the South Dakota tourism float in its Thanksgiving Day parade, has been moved off the float after South Dakota ranchers and farmers protested about her becoming vegetarian and animal rights advocate, saying it misrepresents their state. CNN reports…

“I’ve decided to switch from South Dakota to another float because people’s political agendas were getting in the way of what should be a purely entertainment driven event,” Jett said in a statement Saturday. “I will remain focused on entertaining the millions of people watching, who will be celebrating a great American tradition.”

“So, of course, when we learned that about Miss Jett, we were rightly concerned about her representing South Dakota and a state that is so heavily reliant on agriculture and livestock production to drive our economy,” Jodie Anderson of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association told the station.

A Macy’s spokesman said Jett and her Blackhearts band will be moved to another float, and another undetermined performer will take Jett’s place on the South Dakota float, the affiliate said.

“Thanks to South Dakota’s reactionary ranchers, people across the country have learned why Joan Jett supports PETA. The meat trade can’t stand any scrutiny of its cruelty,” PETA Senior Vice President Dan Mathews said in a statement.

Sharon Jones will perform at the parade too.