Guest guest Posted December 2, 2002 Report Share Posted December 2, 2002 San Francisco " Fur Free Friday " Event a Huge Success! Early on the morning Friday, November 29th, In Defense of Animals (IDA) and Animal Protection Institute (API) set up " action tables " and educational displays in two corners of San Francisco's Union Square, positioning themselves across the street from notorious fur retailers Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. Among the displays were real, donated furs and traps, video footage, quiz games, banners, and signs. From 10:00a.m. - 2:00p.m., countless tourists, shoppers and curious passersby stopped at the tables to learn about the cruel origins of real fur products. Inspired to take action, many signed pre-printed postcards to the CEO's of Saks & Neimans, as well as postcards addressed to the managers of their SF stores, which were walked into the store and hand delivered to a sales representative. Many people also agreed to take the Fur Free Pledge, stating that they will never wear fur, they will tell three of their friends about the cruel origins of fur, and at the next store that they see fur being sold in, they will voice their objection to the store managers. Everyone who took the pledge was entered in a drawing for fabulous, cruelty-free prizes. At about 12 noon, over 100 IDA members, supporters and activists marched around Union Square, making stops at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Victoria's Secret, and Macy's to urge the stores to show compassion to fur-bearing animals and stop the sale of real fur products. Local and national media stations were at the Square to cover the event. Interviews were conducted with Ch. 5 (a CBS affiliate), CNN, as well as a local news wire. That evening, coverage of the event could be seen on channels 2, 4, 5, 7, 11, 26 (in Chinese), and CNN. Later that evening, approximately 6 activists returned to Neiman Marcus to hold a candlelight vigil in front of the store from 7:00p.m. until the last customer was out of the store at about 9:20p.m. They stood facing the main entrance with large, red & white signs (many of which had Neimans-specific slogans on them), holding candles and a donated mink fur in a snare trap. While it was a small, low-key gathering, it was extremely powerful and caught the interest of many who passed by. Thank you to everyone who participated in or supported this event! Photos of SF Fur Free Friday activities will soon be available at www.FurKills.org. Carla Brauer Program Coordinator In Defense of Animals 131 Camino Alto, Suite E Mill Valley, CA 94941 Tel. 415-388-9641 x19 --- It is the policy of In Defense of Animals to no longer use language that accepts the current concept of animals as property, commodities and/or things. Rather than refer to ourselves or others as " owners " of animals we share our lives with, we now refer to ourselves and others as " guardians " of our animal friends and to animals as " he " or " she " rather than " it. " Guardians do not buy or sell animals; instead they rescue and adopt. We urge you to do the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 2, 2002 Report Share Posted December 2, 2002 Congrats to Carla, IDA, and all of those who participated in Fur Free Friday 2002 here in San Francisco. It resulted in wonderful and, surprisingly, sympathetic coverage on KPIX-TV (channel 5) news, which didn't even allow fur store representatives to respond. The candle light vigil that evening was as dignified as it was effective, and really quite moving. Although there were only about six of us at any given time standing side by side and holding signs, some graphic, and candles, it seemed that virtually everyone who passed in front of Neiman that evening saw us. Some appeared to be very disturbed by the photos of the real cost of fur in animal suffering displayed on the posters. Far more people passing by said that they agreed with us than disagreed. That's quite a change from my early animal rights demos in the mid to late 80s when it wasn't unusual to be spit upon or targeted with beer bottles. Progress really is being made. Thanks to Carla for efforts above and beyond the call of duty in organizing this year's events and to all of you who made the event a success. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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