A Mexican senator ruffled some feathers after he promoted the ritual sacrifice of a chicken.
The bizarre incident was part of the Earth Day ceremonies that were held on the grounds of the senate building in Mexico City on Monday.
Despite efforts from members of the ruling Morena party to dissuade him from proceeding with the ritual, Oaxaca Senator Adolfo Gómez went through with offering the chicken to Tláloc, the rain god.
Video of the ceremony showed man holding the chicken over a pot before a woman wearing a traditional dress cut its head off.
WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT
Oaxaca Senator Adolfo Gómez (top left) looks on while a man participates in the sacrifice of a chicken on the grounds of Mexico's Senate on Monday
Oaxaca Senator Adolfo Gómez proceeded with offering the chicken to Tláloc, the rain god, despite opposition from the ruling Morena party
Another man could be seen stepping forward and placed a pot with incense near the chicken.
The offering was broadcasted live on the Mexican Senate's social media accounts before it was removed.
Gómez defended the ritual, indicating it was carried out under the uses and customs of native peoples.
'In the second constitutional article our free right is expressed that the practices of indigenous peoples must be respected. We rely on the second constitutional article,' Gómez told reporters.
Senate Majority Leader, Ricardo Monreal, said that he and most of the Morena senators didn't agree with Senator Gómez's decision.
'I do not agree with the sacrifice of any animal anywhere,' he said. 'I am an animalist and I believe in life, that is why I do not agree even if it is about the uses and customs of the native peoples that he represents.'
A man holds a chicken before it was sacrifice during an Earth Day ceremony on the grounds of of the Mexican Senate in Mexico City
Mexico City law prohibits the use of animals to carry out rituals or traditions. The act is punishable with a jail sentence ranging from two to four years
Under Mexico City law, the use of animals to carry out rituals or traditions is prohibited and is punishable with a jail sentence ranging from two to four years.
Animal rights activists held a demonstration Thursday and called for Gómez's removal from office.
'Many animal protection organizations and activists are gathered here to demand that the senator be sanctioned,' said Sofía Morin, according to Vanguardia news outlet.
The Autonomous Council of Native Peoples and Neighborhoods also slammed the senator's decision to sacrifice the chicken in a public setting.
'Sacrificial acts in public spaces that are not sacred or consecrated for the development of our identity, cultural and ancestral practices contravene the constitutional pact to 'maintain unity,' they said.
