PETA Plans 'Dead Calf' Protest At NYC Starbucks Over Vegan Milk Charge

NEW YORK CITY — What do Sir Paul McCartney, a bloody "dead calf," vegan milk, Starbucks and the New York Times have in common?

All are part of a planned Tuesday protest by PETA activists at a new "grab and go" Starbucks location in Midtown.

They plan to stuff a lifelike calf — as in, a baby cow — into a bloody Starbucks cup at 9:30 a.m. outside the cafe, which is inside the New York Times Building's lobby.

And like "Babe" actor James Cromwell's recent, gluey civil disobedience at Starbucks, this protest is all about the coffee behemoth's extra charge for vegan milks. The plant-based milk helter skelter also attracted the attention of Beatle and noted vegetarian Paul McCartney, who graces a billboard across the street from the Starbucks pressing the company to drop the charge.

"Sir Paul To Starbucks: End the Plant Milk Surcharge," the billboard states.

PETA activists argue vegan milks prevent calves from being torn away from their mothers — hence, the "dead calf" in the planned protest. They also contend that plant-based milks are better for the environment, given that dairy farming is a source of carbon dioxide emissions that cause climate change.

“Starbucks’ vegan milk upcharge leaves a bad taste in the mouth of anyone who cares about animals or the environment,” said Tracy Reiman, PETA's executive vice president, in a statement. “PETA is calling on Starbucks to stop curdling customers’ goodwill by charging extra for kind and climate-friendly choices.”