The Porcine Pardon: Hog Named 6-7 Granted Clemency by Miami-Dade Leader.
Although not quite at the equivalent scale as sparing festive fowl, but the Miami-Dade County mayor experienced a presidential-style act this week by ceremoniously saving 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 center of Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood.
“The swine has done no wrong. She deserves this act of mercy. Her criminal record is spotless,” Levine Cava said in a speech with inescapable allusions to the sheer volume of pardons issued since the onset of a second term in office.
“Unless you count eating six or seven apples per day,” she went on. “I hope she experiences a lengthy and joyful existence free from concern.”
This ceremony, simultaneously observing and challenging the local cultural practice of eating roast pork during the holidays, was created to mirror the annual turkey pardoning at the White House.
The animal, contributed by a Coral Gables firefighter, was christened after the current slang trend of young people yelling “six-seven” – inspired by a musical verse – often without clear purpose. The craze became so pervasive that a major dictionary recently named “6-7” its top term for the year.
A New Life
The pardoned swine is now destined to live out its days at a rural sanctuary “far from charcoal and roasting pans”, according to the ceremony's official statement.
“The pig pardon has become one of our favorite ways to open the festive period,” said the event host, in a notably cheerful message.
“It captures the character of Miami: joyful, diverse, and based in heritage that bring people together. Each year, we are delighted to mark heritage and mercy in a way distinctively Miamian.”
Attendees enjoyed a vegetarian menu of spinach fritters and Cuban coffee as they toasted the pig's pardon.
