The Porcine Pardon: Hog Named 6-7 Granted Clemency by Miami Dade County Mayor.
It might not have been at the same level as granting clemency to festive fowl, but the Miami-Dade County mayor experienced a ceremonial pardon event this week by ritually sparing the life of a swine named Six Seven.
Daniella Levine Cava performed the seasonal stunt at the Cuban-style Latin Cafe 2000 in the center of Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood.
“This animal is guiltless. She deserves this act of mercy. She has committed zero crimes,” declared Levine Cava in a speech with obvious nods to the vast quantity of pardons issued since the onset of a current administration.
“Except perhaps for eating 6 or 7 apples per day,” the mayor added. “May this pig enjoy a long and happy life without fear.”
This ceremony, simultaneously observing and challenging the area's customary feast of consuming swine during the holidays, was founded to mirror the traditional fowl clemency at the White House.
The animal, contributed by a local firefighter, was christened after the modern linguistic fad of young people shouting “6-7” – originating from a musical verse – often seemingly at random. The phrase became so widespread that a major dictionary recently declared “6-7” its top term for the year.
A Peaceful Retirement
This particular pig is now set to enjoy its days at a rural sanctuary “far from charcoal and roasting pans”, according to the event’s official press release.
“The annual pig pardon has become one of our favorite ways to begin the festive period,” said Eric Castellanos, in a notably cheerful message.
“It represents the essence of Miami: joyful, varied, and based in heritage that foster togetherness. Each year, we are delighted to mark heritage and mercy in a way distinctively Miamian.”
Participants enjoyed a vegetarian menu of croquettes and Cuban coffee as they toasted the pig's pardon.
