Fur Wars 2011-2012 Episode 1:Fur Free Friday
On Black Friday, Buy Nothing Day, Fur Free Friday the 25th of November, two groups deployed protesters to DC retailers selling fur garments to the 1% who can afford to buy fur.
Defending Animal rights Today and Tomorrow had spirited and noisy protests outside Burberry, Rizek Brothers, and Neiman-Marcus, while PETA had three visible signs and at least one leafleter at a low-key protest outside Untied Colors of Benetton in Georgetown. At least 4 fur retailers in DC saw protests, and there was a report of another group hitting fur retailers in Montgomery County.
Riziks was a new target. They have sold bridal goods for over 100 years but also sell furs. An activist from DARTT called then on the phone from outside the store, inviting them to have a cordial meeting on the subject of removing fur garments from their product line. When they refused to schedule a meeting, they received what will be the first of many protests outside.
After Rizeks, part of the DARTT team deployed to the notorious fur-selling retailer Neiman-Marcus on the DC line on Wisconsin Ave.
Meanwhile, PETA was doing their own thing outside Benetton in Georgetown, with three visible signs and at least one person distributing leaflets, with a huge crowd of what appeared to be shoppers around them.