5F FIGHTING FOR FUR FREE FASHION
ISSUE #1 Fall 2002
FIGHTING FOR FUR FREE FASHION: INTENSIFYING THE FIGHT AGAINST THE FUR TRADE
Over the last few years, animal rights activists have decreased our focus on the fur industry.
As a direct result, the industry is experiencing a comeback. While sales of fur coats are flat, the industy is making major gains in sales of "fashion and novelty items."
"Customers are continuing the trend to designer-label and other fashion garments in a variety of furst, including sheared versions, reversibles, and knits... the renewed appeal of fur has also manifested itself in increqsed sales of sportswear and accessories that include fur, such as fur-lined demin jackets and and other accessories. (Sandy Parker Reports., Oct 21, 2002).
Internal fur-industry publications report that fur is no longer "politically incorrect." The oppression of fur wearing animals has largely fallen off the radar screen of public concern.
New York City is the largest fur retail city in North America and is the #2 city globally in fur production, right after Hong Kong. If we are ever going to abolish the fur trade, it is vital that activists in New York City make it a major priority.
5F: Fighting for Fur Free Fashion was founded to reinvigorate the fight against fur and drive a nail in the coffin of the bloody fur trade.
Started in summer 2002 as an extension of the Activism Center at Wetlands Preserve's anti-fur campaign, 5F is committed to strategic, research-intensive campaigns designed to have a impact on all aspects of the fur industry.
We intend to let the fur trade know that they cannot make a move without being watched, can't hold an event without being protested, and that we will NEVER let them revive an industry that thrives on the suffering of 40,000,000 animals every year! JOIN US!
SAGA FURS PARTY DISRUPTED BY ACTIVISTS
On Friday, October 4, 2002, activists from Fighting for Fur Free Fashion (5F) disrupted a party, which was held by Saga Furs in Royalton Hotel. The party was held as a continuation of a two-day long event, in which Saga Furs carried out demonstrations of their latest techniques. Saga Furs has been a long time enemy of anti-fur activists, due to its large influence on the spread of the fur industry.
Soon after Saga Furs started their party, three activists have barged in into the lobby of the hotel. One of the activists locked himself by the neck to a banister, which was adjacent to the table at which the furriers were gathered. The activists blew whistles and chanted “fur is murder!” Within minutes the furriers evacuated the area and moved towards the back of the room.
While the party was being disrupted in Royalton Hotel, another group of activists was having a protest by a fashion boutique called Ambiance. Ambiance was targeted for its sale of fur trimmed items. This protest was held a block away from Royalton Hotel. After word was given that the party disruption was taking place, the protesters moved to Royalton, to lend support to the other activists.
The protestors lined up in front of Royalton Hotel and loudly confronted Saga Furs with chants. Police soon came and arrested two of the three activists inside the hotel. Getting the third activist out of the hotel required the unscrewing of the banister. Royalton Hotel did not press charges against the activists and all three of them were released.
ANTI-FUR ACTIVISTS MAKE A RUCKUS AT VOGUE, INTERNATIONAL FUR TRADE FEDERATION PARTY
On Tuesday, September 17, 2002 the International Fur Trade Federation (IFTF) held a cocktail party to honor Vogue magazine’s support of the fur industry and to honor Vogue market editor Meridith Melling Burke. The party was held in Midway restaurant, which is located in the west village of New York City. Fighting for Fur Free Fashion (5F) held a demonstration outside of the restaurant to protest Vogue’s infamous promotion of cruelty and animal exploitation through the sale of fur.
Even before the demonstration began, police surrounded the entrance of the Midway and forced the majority of activists across the street with the intent to minimize their impact on the party. Despite the police, 5F activists found plenty of ways to ruin the party goers night
While holding up images of skinned foxes and other horrors created by the fur trade, demonstrators chanted, banged on streetlights with drumsticks, beat drums, shook rattles, and blew whistles, creating a deafening cacaphony for the duration of the party. Stealing a page from our opposition's book of intimidation tricks, activists took photos of the furriers at point blank range as the came in and out of the Midway (a cop privately commented that he thought this was a clever tactic on our part).
An activist dressed as a skinned fox stood directly in front of the entrance to the restaurant and demanded that the furriers return her skin.
Activists ensured that Meridith Melling-Burke was personally disgraced with chants including, "Meridith Burke, what a big jerk!" In speakouts, 5F members recounted the Paint Panthers paintbomb attack on Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour's home several years ago, and suggested that Burke may suffer a similar fate if she continues to support the fur trade.
Residents of the West Village were outraged by the fact that furriers were meeting in their neighborhood. As pedestrians were walking by the demonstration, they commended the activists. Residents pledged to contact the Midway restaurant, asking them not to host events for furriers ever again.
ANIMAL LIBERATIONISTS TO NEIMAN MARCUS : "GET THE HELL OUT OF NEW YORK CITY!"
Every year Neiman Marcus, an upscale national department store chain, has an Annual Fur Buyers Conclave. They tour New York City fur salons to look at various new designs to use in their stores in the upcoming season.. On July 28th a bunch of angry animal rights from the Activism Center at Wetlands Preserve gave them a very warm welcome – and told them to go straight to hell!
As Neiman Marcus’ representatives arrived at J. Mendel, a fur store on the Upper East side of New York City, they were greeted with intimidating shouts from activists. They chanted "Murderers - leave town" and "…Send the furriers straight to hell." While Neiman Marcus personnel were flaunting animal carcasses inside the store, animal rights activists were chanting, holding up anti-fur signs and distributing literature about the cruelty of fur.
Activists let Neiman Marcus know that no matter where they go, they will always face bitter opposition to their involvement in the cruel fur trade. Neiman Marcus has been a target of animal rights activists all over the country. To learn more about the Neiman Marcus campaign, you can visit www.neimans.org.
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