With winter and cold weather here again it is essential that we make the anti-fur message loud and clear again!
Over 1 million animals are still killed every year for the fur fashion trade. Come of these animals, foxes, minks, ocelots (just to name a few) are trapped in cruel steel-jaw leghold traps where they are left to suffer often for many days before trappers return. The pain is so great that many animals have been known to chew off their own legs in an attempt to escape. If the animals were not trapped, they have been raised on 'fur farms' where they are kept in dirty wire cages which are so small most animals suffer extreme mental and emotional disorders before being gassed, electrocuted or strangled to death in order to preserve the quality of the fur. Its' a far cry from the glamour used to promote fur. Surely only a callous few could continue to wear it, if everyone could see how these animals suffer.
Although fur does not enjoy as much popularity here as in Europe - largely due to the climate differences - there has been a definite trend toward the reintroduction of fur as a fabric of choice in international fashion. At present the campaign has been focused on finding out what the policy of Australia’s main fashion magazines is concerning fur advertising/fashion spreads etc. and also planning an action targeted at city fur shops for National Fur Free Day’ (June 14th).
Media Release regarding demonstration held 14 June 1997
On Saturday 14 June close to 50 Animal Liberation supporters gathered in City Square, Melbourne for a anti-fur demonstration.
Most of the protesters were dressed in black. The girls holding the banner "Bring Out Your Dead" were dressed in long black skirts and were wearing veils. A wheelbarrow full of animal 'furs' (fake), covered in 'blood' (paint) and topped off by a steel-jaw trap was also a part of the procession.
The funeral-like procession visited three fur shops in the heart of Melbourne - chanting 'Bring out your dead', ringing bells and holding candles and placards. There was a lot of public interest and leaflets were handed out.
The demonstration was very successful and will be repeated again (a number of times) during the winter.
Australian magazine 'New Idea' recently (21 June 1997) ran a centre fashion spread with real animal fur proclaiming that fur is back in "vogue" this winter. Please write to New Idea (even if you are overseas) and tell them that you are very disappointed that they decided to promote such cruel fashion:
Last updated 10 August 1997
Email: alib_vic@paradigm4.com.au
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