Posted on 11/25/2005 6:17:17 PM PST by kingattax
NEW YORK (AP) - It was one of those "only in New York" moments: Two coffins, laid out in the middle of Times Square in a cold rain, with the naked bodies of a man and a woman in them - talking.
Their message was: Some clothes sold in America are made with fur that comes from animals allegedly tortured in China.
"Animals are skinned alive in China, because it's cheaper than to kill them humanely," said Ingrid Newkirk, president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, opening her eyes as she shivered in a black cardboard coffin, with a cold wind blowing the rain through the square.
Her body painted a deathly gray and strewn with flowers, she lay under a sign that read: "Fur is Dead."
The Tuesday protest at the "Crossroads of the World" was promoted as an eBay auction lot that attracted donors who "bid" $43,000.
Another banner bore a grisly photo of what PETA protesters said was a raccoon dog - a fox-like mammal - that had been skinned alive.
Michael McGraw, a PETA spokesman, also asserted that millions of dogs and cats in China are used for their fur, which is then sold as fur from sheared coyote, beaver, mink and other animals.
PETA is distributing video footage shot by Swiss documentary filmmaker Mark Rissi that the group says shows fur farmers in China's Hebei province swinging foxes by their hind legs and smashing their heads into the ground, breaking their necks.
PETA, based in Norfolk, Va., plans a series of protests around the world beginning with "Fur Free Friday" - coinciding with Friday after Thanksgiving, which generally is considered the busiest U.S. shopping day of the year.
In the 25 years since PETA was founded in Newkirk's Maryland home, the organization says it has grown to include 850,000 members and supporters and about 200 employees with offices in Great Britain, India, Germany, the Netherlands, the Philippines and Hong Kong.
Assuming that's true, I've got a problem with it and the problems big enough to prevent me buying any sort of animal-ingredient product coming from China.
Stupid is as stupid does..
I don't buy anything coming from China if I can help it. Pass the word, it isn't cool.
Then shouldn't they be getting their naked butts to China to protest???? I doubt this anyway, as skinning a live animal seems problematic.
I'm calling bs on that one. Ever tried to clip your cat's nails?
And a knife through the back of the skull doesn't cost a cent and is very humane.
HBO had a special on on Asian animal skinning a few years ago. They dunk live cats in a big vat of boiling oil for a few seconds, then peel the fur off immediately after. I think those animals were lunch, however...I doubt that the fur would be of any use. I just about lost my lunch after seeing this.
If PETA is serious, shouldn't they be trying to get birders and whale watchers indicted as stalkers?
They're skinned in China partly for the reason that country doesn't have to put up with pain in the ass animal right activists because none of them have the guts to protest over there.
Her body painted a deathly gray and strewn with flowers, she lay under a sign that read: "Fur is Dead."
Does this mean she shaves?
Sorry, it's getting late...............
I saw a group of anti-fur protesters yesterday. Many had leather shoes on, and one guy had on a leather jacket.
I agree. My BS detector is buzzing big time. Anyone that has ever skinned anything know this is a foolish notion.
BTW - I have a two cats. They are 3 years old and one of them has yet to have her nails clipped. I can't imagine skinning a live mink. The first aid bill alone would be more than the pelt.
Thanks. Those two gals definitely need personal counseling. From me.
Hired models.
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