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It might not have been at the equivalent scale as granting clemency to Thanksgiving turkeys, but the mayor of Miami-Dade had her own ceremonial pardon event this week by ritually sparing the life of a pig named Six Seven.

Daniella Levine Cava performed the seasonal stunt at the Cuban-style Latin Cafe 2000 in the center of Miami’s iconic Little Havana neighborhood.

“The swine has done no wrong. She is worthy of this pardon. Her criminal record is spotless,” Levine Cava said in a speech with clear references to the sheer volume of executive clemencies issued from the start of the beginning of a new presidential term.

“Unless you count eating six or seven apples per day,” the mayor added. “I hope she experiences a lengthy and joyful existence without fear.”

The event, which both honors and questions the region’s Hispanic tradition of feasting on pork during the holidays, was created to replicate the yearly bird sparing at the White House.

The animal, donated by a Coral Gables firefighter, was christened after the popular vernacular phrase of young people yelling “six seven” – inspired by a musical verse – often seemingly at random. The phrase became so ubiquitous that a prominent word reference recently declared “six-seven” its annual vocabulary selection.

A Future Secured

The pardoned swine is now set to enjoy its days at a rural sanctuary “away from grills and cookware”, according to the ceremony's official statement.

“The pig pardon has become a beloved tradition to begin the festive period,” said the cafe owner, in a decidedly positive message.

“It represents the essence of Miami: happy, varied, and based in heritage that bring people together. Each year, we are proud to celebrate culture and compassion in a way unique to Miami.”

Participants enjoyed a meat-free selection of spinach fritters and Cuban coffee as they celebrated the pig's pardon.