Saturday, October 13, 2007

Global Weekend of Action Against ESCADA & Keeping the Heat on HLS

Demo #1: ESCADA, 715 Fifth Avenue, New York City

On Saturday, activists from Win Animal Rights (WAR) gathered at the prime New York retail outlet for Escada, to join with activists all around the world to protest their continued selling of fur. Since this was the group’s first visit to Escada, the protest was small and relatively low key. Activists took the opportunity to chat with store management about why they were there and about the international coalition of activists that is targeting Escada around the world.

In the short meeting, it was made clear to Escada that the longer they waited to take fur off their racks, the more often and the more aggressive WAR would become. Both security and the store representative were given copies of the flyers being distributed outside their doors urging shoppers to bypass Escada and to shop at more compassionate stores. Activists were heard to ask people going into the store to speak up for fur bearing animals by not buying from Escada until they stop selling fur. Store management was urged to check with Dennis Basso for confirmation that WAR never gives up, never gives in and keeps coming back until they have won.

As Escada employees peered through the expansive plate glass windows of the second floor overlooking the protesters, activists handed out hundreds of flyers and spoke to many passersby on busy Fifth Avenue. The group vowed to return as soon and as often as they can.

Demo #2: Richard Ricci, Managing Director – Wachovia Securities

The next stop for activists was the address of Robert Ricci, Managing Director of Wachovia Securities. This location was very close to a major Wachovia Bank branch so activists split their time between both buildings. Flyers were distributed detailing the fact that Wachovia owns over 92,000 shares of LSR stock funding the killing of 500 animals every day by Huntingdon Life Sciences. Until Wachovia sells its shares there will be activists on Wachovia’s doorsteps at both at home and at the office.

Demo #3: Richard Dziadzio, Deputy Chief Financial Officer – AXA Equitable

The final stop of the afternoon was the home of Richard Dziadzio, Deputy CFO of one of the AXA’s largest component companies. WAR’s large graphic banner showing the remains of a mutilated beagle puppy was unfurled and activists distributed literature about the relationship between AXA and Huntingdon Life Sciences. Until AXA dumps their shares in LSR, WAR will continue to speak out for the innocent animals suffering and dying at Huntingdon Life Sciences every day.