As a proud student at the University of Maryland, I was very disappointed to learn that my school is in partnership with McDonald’s. McDonald’s does not represent our institutions values as this company is involved in an animal cruelty scandal!

McDonald’s supports cruel and outdated factory farms. Chickens raised for McDonald's menu are bred to grow so large so fast, many are unable to stand on their very own limbs and succumb to organ failure and heart attacks. They are crammed in filthy barns where they are forced to stand in their own toxic waste causing burns on the chickens’ legs and body.

Over 100 companies, including Burger King, Subway, and Starbucks are listening to its consumers by moving away from these deplorable practices. Instead of rectifying this cruelty by adopting welfare standards for these chickens, McDonald’s has released a misleading policy to the public. Over 250,000 people agree: McDonald’s support of egregious animal cruelty cannot be swept under the rug.

Please join the “I’m Not Lovin’ It” movement across the country by signing and sharing my petition urging the University of Maryland to do the right thing and drop McDonald’s as a business partner from its dining halls.