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Although not quite at the identical stature as sparing Thanksgiving turkeys, but the mayor of Miami-Dade conducted a presidential-style act this week by formally pardoning the life of a swine named Six Seven.

Daniella Levine Cava carried out the annual tradition at the Cuban-style Latin Cafe 2000 in the core of Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood.

“This animal is guiltless. Clemency is justified for her. She has committed zero crimes,” Levine Cava said in a speech with inescapable allusions to the sheer volume of pardons issued since the commencement of a second term in office.

“Unless you count eating 6 or 7 apples per day,” she went on. “I hope she experiences a lengthy and joyful existence away from worry.”

The gathering, either celebrating or rejecting the local cultural practice of eating roast pork during the holidays, was created to emulate the annual turkey pardoning at the White House.

The pig, contributed by a local firefighter, was christened after the modern linguistic fad of young people exclaiming “6-7” – originating from a hip-hop line – often without clear purpose. The phrase became so widespread that a prominent word reference recently named “6-7” its top term for the year.

A New Life

This particular pig is now destined to live out its days at a farm sanctuary “distant from barbecues and spits”, according to the organizers' announcement.

“The pig pardon has become a beloved tradition to begin the end-of-year celebrations,” said Eric Castellanos, in a particularly upbeat message.

“It captures the character of Miami: joyful, varied, and based in heritage that bring people together. Annually, we are honored to observe culture and compassion in a way only Miami can.”

Participants enjoyed a vegetarian menu of spinach fritters and cafecito as they celebrated the pig's pardon.