Fur Shops Get Hammered in Leeds

Maggie Rose Carroll | 14.02.2006 20:39 | Animal Liberation | Indymedia | World

On Saturday, 15 activists in Leeds visited shops around the city centre stocking products containing real fur.

Wampum was first as the shop front was covered in activists, all to the embarrassment to the owners. Two came out and said that the wanted the demo to move as it was fur imported from the Native Americans they sold. She was told to take some leaflets and that as long as any fur was stocked, the shp would remain a target for demo’s. They both went in and began looking through the phone book for a number for the police! Margaret Carroll (the owner) who is over 50 began sticking fingers up through the shop windows, and even stuck her tongue out! How pathetic! Activists left and a riot van was spotted outside the shop later on.

Next stop was the wedding dress shop, Caroline Costigliano, who sell shawls made of fox fur. The doors were locked and the shop assistant began shouting that it was faux-fur and that they have clients! Oh dear. She then began closing all the shop’s curtains to attempt to stop the customers inside seeing the demo.

Aspecto are a Northern chain who stock full rabbit fur boots. Many of their customers turned away. The security guards at the neighbouring Victoria Quarter, home to nationwide fur sellers - Kurt Geiger, began getting people positioned around the arcade incase protesters decided to run in! This is the paranoia you get from selling fur. Could it be a result of two demo’s in the last six days against the store?

A decoy demo went back to Wampum to keep the police on their toes whilst others went to Charles Clinkards who’s store is full of fox and rabbit fur trimmed boots. The shop began emptying and many of their ex-customers showed support by turning away. The store manager came out with his lip curled under, brandishing a polaroid camera. He began attempting to intimidate protesters by shoving it in their faces. It was out with the megaphones as the public inside and out were informed of Charles Clinkard’s support for the fur trade. The manager locked up the shop, but then realised no-one could get in and out!

The police turned up so activists split into a further two parties. One was detained and threatened with arrest unless they gave contact details and were searched. Others went back to join the others at Wampum, who had only had two window-shoppers going in all day!

We will be back until all fur is removed off the shelves!

Wampum,
16 New Briggate,
Leeds, LS1 6NU
Tel: 0113 244 5083
Email: