Benevolent Beauties Plan to Charm Commuters Into Shedding Exotic Skins
For Immediate Release:
April 11, 2012
Contact:
Shakira Croce 202-483-7382
Boston -- The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority rejected PETA's plan to wrap eerie, realistic-looking rubber snakes around subway poles as part of the group's proposed Snakes on a Train campaign—so PETA is now taking a more charming approach: A pair of PETA supporters, dressed as sexy snake charmers, will stand outside the Copley T Station on Thursday with signs that read, "Snakes Are Charming: Please Leave Their Skins Alone," in an effort to coax—rather than creep—commuters out of their snakeskin bags, boots, and belts.
When: Thursday, April 12, 12 noon
Where: Copley T Station, at the northwest corner of Boylston and Dartmouth streets, Boston
"Even if snakes give you the willies, you can agree that they deserve better than to be beaten, abused, and killed in the name of 'fashion,'" says PETA Senior Vice President Dan Mathews. "With so many stylish and cruelty-free accessories available—from fake snake to mock croc—there's never been a better time to shed animal skins from your wardrobe."
Many companies—including H&M, Nike, Cole Haan, and Overstock.com—have implemented policies banning the sale of exotic skins. As explained in PETA's video exposé of the exotic-skins industry, narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, exotic animals such as snakes, alligators, and crocodiles are skinned alive, beaten to death, or killed for their skins in other cruel ways. Snakes, for example, are often nailed to trees, and workers may ram hoses into the animals' mouths and pump them full of water so that they can more easily cut off their tightened skin while they are still alive.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.