"This pig is a special pig," Kali Castellanos, who started the event, told USA TODAY. The pig, 6-7, who was pardoned on Dec. 9, would fall asleep "like a baby" while Castellanos was holding him.
Miami held their annual pig pardon for lucky male pig named after the viral social media trend, "Six Seven or 6-7."

While the rest of the country gets done pardoning turkeys, Miami pardoned a pig.

On Tuesday, Dec. 9, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava pardoned one lucky pig named Six Seven or '6-7' ahead of Christmas Eve, also known as Noche Buena.

The male pig was granted a ceremonial “get-out-of-caja-china-free” card, named after the traditional wooden box used by many Latino cultures to roast whole pigs for holidays, like Noche Buena, and other special celebrations, and will now get to live his life at a sanctuary and safe haven, according to a news release emailed to USA TODAY.

"The Pig Pardon has become one of our favorite ways to open the holiday season," said Eric Castellanos, owner of Latin Cafe 2000, the restaurant where the event was held. "It captures the spirit of Miami's joyful, diverse and rooted in traditions that bring people together. Each year, we’re proud to blend culture and compassion in a way only Miami can."

Here's what to know about the pig pardoning.

How did '6-7' get his name?

The restaurant tries to name the pardoned pigs after the biggest trends happening during that year, Kali Castellanos, co-owner and wife of Eric Castellanos, told USA TODAY.

In 2023, the pardoned pigs were named Taylor and Travis, after Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, and in 2024, they were named after Elphaba and Galinda, the main characters of "Wicked."

This year, the pig was named "6-7," after the viral trend, which Castellano's two kids always joke about.

The phrase originated in the song "Doot Doot" by rapper Skrilla, released in December 2024, according to USA TODAY's previous reporting. But the viral trend grew popular in the months that followed and gained popularity among Gen Alpha.

Despite its viral popularity, the phrase doesn't really have a clear meaning.

Why does Miami pardon a pig?

The tradition started eight years ago, when Castellanos was watching the turkey pardon on television at the restaurant during the holidays.

"I'm literally looking around at all the freaking boxes of [pork], like, 'The only thing that needs any pardoning here is this poor freaking pig, because these things need a break,'" she said.

Roasting a pig for Noche Buena is a tradition that spans generations and is done with family, friends, and neighbors.

"It's just such a beautiful tradition because it's really all about, not just bringing family together, but it's about bringing people together," said Castellanos.

Contributing: Greta Cross, USA TODAY

Julia is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers scientific studies and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A pig named '6-7' is pardoned, saved from becoming holiday meal

Reporting by Julia Gomez, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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