What is ‘Smithfield Death Star’ as protesters storm at Nathan’s hot dog eating contest?
3 min read
On Monday, Nathan’s hot dog eating contest was disrupted by a bunch of protesters, which led to Joey Chestnut pinning one of them on the ground. Furthermore, one of the disruptors was wearing a Darth Vader mask while holding a sign that said, ‘Expose Smithfield Death Star.’
Here is everything you need to know.
What is the meaning of ‘Smithfield Death Star’?
Animal activists Scott Gilbertson, Robert Yamada, and Josh Marxen stormed the event’s stage to present their write-up which had ‘Expose Smithfield Death Star’ written on it.
According to a report by Sporting News, the protestor was most likely referencing Smithfield Foods, an American food-processing company that produces pork. The company is situated in Smithfield, Virginia, and previously made news for surrounding a controversy.
The protestors were showing their stance over the treatment of pigs in the USA’s largest pig farm factory.
Operatives were sent to the farm from where the factory received pigs. According to the reports, they discovered many sick, dead, and diseased piglets lying in their mother’s feces. They further found several adult injured pigs.
In the past, PETA has released a statement slamming the company for animal cruelty.
As per VOX, Smithfield Foods also issued a statement where they claimed they would make their meat more humane following the revelation that they used gestation crates on mother pigs.
Meanwhile, the term ‘death star’ on the sign is a reference to the sci-fi film Stars Wars with one of the protestors wearing a Darth Vader mask.
ARRESTED: Activists who disrupted #NathansHotDogEatingContest have been taken into police custody. Their protest was against Nathan’s pork supplier, Smithfield Foods, a company exposed for animal cruelty, worker abuse, & pollution. Updates will be posted as the story develops. pic.twitter.com/hfhk6cq9Gh
— Direct Action Everywhere (@DxEverywhere) July 4, 2022
Who won Nathan’s hot dog eating contest?
Joey Chestnut took home the title in the men’s category while Miki Sudo was crowned the winner in the women’s category.
Chestnut bagged the title last year as well marking this as his 15th win.
When the protestors took the stage, Chestnut immediately rushed there and grabbed one of them in a chokehold.
Despite the hiccup, Chestnut managed to stay ahead in the game and won the prize by devouring 63 hot dogs and buns.
He also holds the record for eating 76 hot dogs. Regardless, he did not break his record this year.
Joey Chestnut wins his 15th Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest 🏆
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 4, 2022
63 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes pic.twitter.com/W6ERIgOdZq
While speaking to ESPN about his win, the hot dog eating champion mentioned, ‘It hurts, but I was in the zone for a little bit. I was ignoring it.’
The winner in both categories will be awarded $10,000 each. While the second, third, fourth, and fifth places will get $5,000, $2,500, $1,500, and $1,000 respectively.
Chestnut just obliterated him🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/dry7Oy8KZK
— jonah block (@JonahBlock05) July 4, 2022
