A Pig's Tale: Hog Named Six Seven Spared by Miami-Dade Mayor.
Although not quite at the identical stature as granting clemency to holiday birds, but the mayor of Miami-Dade conducted a ceremonial pardon event this week by formally pardoning the life of a pig named Six Seven.
Daniella Levine Cava performed the seasonal stunt at the Cuban-style Latin Cafe 2000 in the center of Miami’s iconic Little Havana neighborhood.
“The swine has done no wrong. Clemency is justified for her. Her criminal record is spotless,” Levine Cava said in a speech with clear references to the extraordinary and sizable number of executive clemencies issued from the start of the commencement of a second term in office.
“Except perhaps for eating half a dozen apples per day,” Levine Cava continued. “Let this swine have a long and happy life free from concern.”
The event, which both honors and questions the local cultural practice of eating roast pork during the holidays, was established to replicate the annual turkey pardoning at the White House.
The pig, contributed by a Coral Gables firefighter, was given its name from the popular vernacular phrase of young people yelling “six seven” – originating from a rap song lyric – often for no discernable reason. The trend became so pervasive that a leading lexicon site recently named “six-seven” its annual vocabulary selection.
A New Life
Six Seven the pig is now destined to live out its days at a countryside refuge “away from grills and cookware”, according to the ceremony's official statement.
“The pig pardon has become a beloved tradition to begin the end-of-year celebrations,” said Eric Castellanos, in a notably cheerful message.
“It represents the character of Miami: vibrant, diverse, and rooted in traditions that unite the community. Every time, we are delighted to mark tradition and kindness in a way distinctively Miamian.”
Guests enjoyed a meat-free selection of spinach fritters and strong coffee as they toasted the pig's pardon.
