Monday, December 24, 2007

Global Campaign Against Escada Continues in New York City

One would reasonably assume that on Christmas Eve, all of the frantic shopping would be done and New Yorkers and tourists would turn their attention to the festivities that begin on the day before Christmas. Nothing could be further than the truth. On New York City’s trendy and exclusive Fifth Avenue, the sidewalks were chock full of frenzied shoppers making a mad dash for last minute purchases. Less than polite, shoppers pushed and shoved their way through the crowd and stores were all crowded and overflowing.

When activists reached the Escada store they expected to see the store jam-packed with last minute shoppers, just like all of their Fifth Avenue neighbors. It was with great satisfaction that activists noted that the store was almost completely empty. As the signs and posters were pulled out, activists noted that the only ones to gather at Escada’s windows to look were the sales and security staff of Escada. Gee whiz, hope they don’t work on commission!

Protesters spent the bulk of the afternoon at this one location educating shoppers, asking New York residents and visitors alike to boycott Escada until they take the “fur free” pledge. It was explained to the many tourists that Escada has stores around the world and that the protest was part of a much larger global effort to persuade Escada to stop selling fur. Faces of passersby were filled with horror as they looked at the pictures of the bloody skinned animals in comparison to the pictures of beautiful healthy animals who still had their fur. As always, anyone who had the gall to pass the picket line wearing fur, was immediately confronted and berated.

Activists chanted “50 dead animal, one fur coat” and “Shame-Shame-Shame on You” whenever anyone passed by in fur. Non-fur wearers cheered the activists on and encouraged the confrontations with the cruel and heartless men and women that were ignorant enough to still wear fur. It was noted that some fur wearers had stickers affixed to the back of their coats. No telling how they got there!