April showers might bring May flowers, but they certainly didn’t dampen the spirits of compassionate New Yorkers this Earth Month. Despite the chilly drizzle, Union Square Park was buzzing with energy on Sunday, April 19, for the Earth Day 2026 Festival, organized by the Earth Day Initiative. The Mercy For Animals team was right in the heart of the action.
Because of your continued support, Mercy For Animals was honored to host a highlight of the day: an interactive chef demo. Chef Guy Vaknin, the visionary CEO of City Roots Hospitality and the master of elevated plant-based cuisine behind NYC staples like Beyond Sushi and Anixi, took to the stage. Joined by Jennifer Behr, Mercy For Animals’ Director of Plant-Based Initiatives, Chef Guy proved that choosing plant-based foods is delicious and incredibly accessible. The menu featured two show-stoppers: a plant-based fish taco using Oshi plant-based salmon and a savory carne asada version (minus the carne!) made with Chunk’s innovative plant-based steak.
At Mercy For Animals’ booth, the true power of the animal protection movement was on full display. Incredible volunteers braved the rain to facilitate meaningful connections, helping visitors download QR codes to access our How to Eat Veg Guide and learn how to take action for animals. These dedicated advocates handed out recipe cards from Chef Guy, captured photos and video of the day’s successes, and helped many new friends sign up to volunteer or make their first donation.
The atmosphere remained warm as visitors chatted with volunteers and members of our leadership team—including President and CEO Arash Yomtobian, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Anitha Mercy, Director of Global Policy Amelia Linn, and Senior Celebrity and Media Relations Manager Nik Tyler—about our shared mission to transform the food system. We even made sure our four-legged supporters felt the love; after seeing so many adorable dogs in the rain, our team made a quick plant-based dog treat run to ensure every member of the family felt welcome.
Every conversation held and every plant-based resource shared at this festival was a step forward for narrative change, and none of it would be possible without you. Your support is what allows us to show up in these spaces and steer the world toward a more compassionate future.
Missed the action? You can still join the movement from your own kitchen! Check out Chef Guy Vaknin’s recipes here.
We invite you to visit MercyForAnimals.org to learn more about our current initiatives and find easy ways to incorporate more plant-based options into your routine. We are already counting down the days until the 2027 festival—your dedication is what makes this progress possible, and we hope to see you there!
