Days after installing protest statue, PETA challenges Jackson Town Council on free speech
A group passing through the Town Square on Wednesday afternoon stops to observe a sheep statue installed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, aka PETA. The animal rights group is challenging the Jackson Town Council on free speech, after the council made a decision limiting statues on Town Square. Photo by Kathryn Ziesig, Jackson Hole Daily.
JACKSON — PETA is beefing with the Jackson Town Council.
On Monday, the animal rights group installed “E(n)d Shearin’,” a sheep statue protesting the wool industry, on the Jackson Town Square. That evening, Jackson town councilors revoked a policy that allowed temporary unattended displays to be featured on the Town Square with town approval.
The change wasn’t a rebuke of PETA’s statue, according to Mayor Arne Jorgensen. But PETA pushed back, arguing that the Town Council’s move challenged free speech.
“We are concerned that the decision, well-intentioned as it may be, may fleece the community of a valuable venue for free expression,” Tracy Reiman, PETA’s president, wrote in a May 7 letter to the Town Council. “Shutting down peaceful temporary educational displays, particularly ones that spark dialogue on important, overlooked issues, helps no one.”
PETA believes rescinding the temporary unattended display policy “closed off a channel for public discourse in Jackson’s most central and accessible meeting place.” The organization called on the Jackson Town Council to reverse course.
“We are asking them to reconsider this repeal and allow for free speech and expression in their town,” said Amanda Brody, campaigns manager at PETA. “It’s really important for us to have access to this free expression in public places like the Jackson Town Square.”
The mayor disagreed with the notion that the council’s decision challenged free speech. Monday’s decision rebuked a 2013 policy — which allowed people to request permission to put up temporary displays — that councilors had concerns about, Jorgensen said. A new policy could be drafted in the future.
“We have a long history of embracing the sharing of ideas and speech,” Jorgensen said. “This should not be construed as an attempt to limit that. We will continue to review this into the future.”
The decision was made to avoid conflicts that officials believed could arise from divisive displays. Repealing the 2013 policy would allow councilors to have a “careful discussion” in the future about how to manage temporary displays on the Town Square, Jorgensen said. The council has not yet scheduled that discussion.
Monday’s policy repeal doesn’t necessarily ban displays on Town Square. Instead, there’s now no process for getting official town approval. Jorgensen doesn’t believe the decision will bar Jacksonites from expressing themselves, including with memorials.
“I don’t see what we did on Monday as influencing or impacting what we’ve historically done in that realm,” Jorgensen said.
PETA’s statue has gotten mixed reviews in Jackson Hole. The animal rights group said residents and visitors have “flocked” to the statue with positive feedback. But online commenters have critiqued the animal rights group, arguing that sheep are not harmed when they are sheared.
Brody doubled down on criticisms of the wool industry, contending that sheep are subject to harsh conditions and “purposefully bred to grow more wool than they need.”
“It’s a greedy, violent, bloody process that leaves many of them with gaping wounds and other terrible injuries,” Brody said. “Whenever an animal is used for profit, they always suffer.”
This story was published on May 9, 2026.