Saturday, February 2, 2008 Global Weekend of Action Against Escada In Memory of Jill Phipps, 1964 - 1995 Demo #1: Escada - 715 Fifth Avenue, New York City Weekly protests continue at the flagship Fifth Avenue Escada retail outlet. This being the beginning of the global weekend of action, there were more activists and some new and very effective banners and posters. As usual the Escada store was empty of customers giving the sales staff and security ample time to watch protesters through the large plate glass windows. A lively and spirited protest was held. Fifth Avenue was filled with the sounds of strong voices shouting: “Hey Escada, what do you say?…How did you kill your fur today….Gassing, Trapping, Anal Electrocution?”. Shoppers stopped to stare at the graphic and bloody images of skinned and mutilated animals. Most showed their support and asked for literature. Still others promised to call Escada to voice their disgust that the store refused to discontinue their sale of fur. “Fur Trade, Death Trade” chanted the protesters, while other activists freely distributed literature to the crowd. Compelling posters showed before and after pictures of animals that were killed and skinned for their fur. One amusing poster showed pictures of Chewbacca, a Bumble and a large shaggy brown bear that asked the question: “Is this the look you were going for”. Amazing that women who diet incessantly and spend thousands of dollars on diets and surgical procedures would wear a coat that makes them look like they weigh 300 lbs and have little heads dwarfed by large shaggy hairy bodies. Haute couture? We don’t think so. Demo #2: Saks Fifth Avenue - Escada Concession Exclusive department store Saks Fifth Avenue has been the site of protests for the past two weekends and likely believed that they were due to have a quiet and peaceful weekend. Such was not to be the case since they house an Escada concession within their store. After hours at the Escada, activists moved the protest to Saks on Fifth Avenue and 49th Street. The banner was again unfurled and the graphic gory posters were placed on display, as activists turned up the heat on Saks Fifth Avenue. The protest was held right between the two main entrances on Fifth Avenue allowing good access to shoppers entering and leaving the store. “Your money, your greed, your vanity, your fashion”…the activists chanted as they pointed to Saks. Each time a person passed dressed in fur, protesters called them out without mercy. “50 dead animals, One Fur Coat” was chanted and also “Shame, shame, shame on you”. On many occasions fur wearers, upon seeing or hearing the demonstration, tucked tail and ran. One woman actually used her children for cover to try to disguise the fact that she was wearing fur. Coward! *click here for slide show & video clip* |
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