The Porcine Pardon: Pig Named 6-7 Granted Clemency by Miami Dade County Mayor.
While perhaps not at the identical stature as granting clemency to Thanksgiving turkeys, but the mayor of Miami-Dade conducted a presidential-style act this week by ritually sparing the life of a pig named Six Seven.
Daniella Levine Cava carried out the annual tradition at the Cuban-themed Latin Cafe 2000 in the heart of Miami’s iconic Little Havana neighborhood.
“The swine has done no wrong. She deserves this act of mercy. She has committed zero crimes,” Levine Cava said in a speech with inescapable allusions to the vast quantity of executive clemencies issued since the beginning of a new presidential term.
“Unless you count eating 6 or 7 apples per day,” the mayor added. “I hope she experiences a lengthy and joyful existence away from worry.”
The gathering, simultaneously observing and challenging the region’s Hispanic tradition of consuming swine during the holidays, was founded to mirror the yearly bird sparing at the White House.
The pig, donated by a Coral Gables firefighter, was given its name from the modern linguistic fad of young people yelling “six-seven” – inspired by a musical verse – often without clear purpose. The craze became so widespread that a major dictionary recently declared “six-seven” its top term for the year.
A Peaceful Retirement
Six Seven the pig is now destined to live out its days at a farm sanctuary “distant from barbecues and spits”, according to the event’s official press release.
“The annual pig pardon has become one of our favorite ways to begin the end-of-year celebrations,” said Eric Castellanos, in a decidedly positive message.
“It captures the character of Miami: vibrant, multicultural, and based in heritage that bring people together. Annually, we are delighted to mark heritage and mercy in a way distinctively Miamian.”
Participants enjoyed a meat-free selection of croquettes and cafecito as they toasted the pig's pardon.
