Saturday, August 2, 2008

Demo #1: Escada – Fifth Avenue

Once again, as part of the global campaign to get Escada to stop selling fur, activists convened at Escada’s flagship New York City store on Fifth Avenue. The strength of the Euro and the weakness of the dollar have created a shopper’s paradise for travelers and visitors to the USA. After seeing the posters and banners and hearing of the cruelty inherent in the fur trade, many took their currency somewhere other than Escada. The global campaign to stop the sale of fur and fur trim products by Escada will continue until they have pledged to go fur free.

Demo #2: Burberry - 57th Street

A very short walk away, activists convened in front of Burberry, another notorious fur monger. A full complement of burly security guards did their best to intimidate activists into silence. No chance of that happening as their arrogance and insistence on laughing at the images of mutilated animals only served to infuriate the protesters who channeled their outrage into their loud chanting. Every potential shopper that entered the store was accompanied by a chorus of…“Shame, Shame, Shame on you”

Demo #3: Dior - 57th Street

Although not on the original protest schedule, Dior was added to the list because of the ostentatious display of a fur cape prominently center stage in their window. The fur appeared to be the remains of many dead chinchilla or perhaps arctic fox. Chanting was loud and spirited and in a speak out Dior was advised that as long as the fur remained in the window, activists would keep coming back. (Note: activists were gratified to find that before the next round of fur demos, the cape had been removed from the window, sparing them a return visit).

Demo #4: Burberry Redux - 57th Street

Burberry security guards had the smirks wiped off of their ghoulish faces when activists returned for the second time that afternoon. No longer laughing and complaining bitterly about having to stay beyond their regular work hours, activists were not in the least concerned about the inconvenience. Activists stayed well past their welcome and, in fact, stayed until the store closed and the last customer left the store to the now familiar refrain of “Shame on you!”. Perhaps this time they got the message. “There is NO excuse for animal abuse” and there is nothing funny about the bloody fur business.