Group Takes Fur-Using Designer to Task for Hypocritical 'Peace' Message
For Immediate Release:
May 13, 2011
Contact:
Ashley Gonzalez 202-483-7382
Newark, N.J. -- Holding signs that read, "DK: Stop the War on Animals," several PETA protesters will greet attendees of the Newark Peace Education Summit, where designer Donna Karan is leading a commerce and philanthropy workshop on Sunday. PETA is urging Karan to truly make a commitment to nonviolence by ending the use of real rabbit fur in her collections.
When: Sunday, May 15, 10 a.m.
Where: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St. (near the intersection of Park Place), Newark
"There's nothing 'peaceful' about skinning animals alive for their fur," says PETA Senior Vice President Dan Mathews. "If Karan wants to demonstrate the 'power of nonviolence,' the first thing she should do is stop using the skins of abused rabbits in her designs."
Donna Karan sources rabbit fur from China, where undercover investigations have revealed horrendous conditions on fur farms. Video footage of a Chinese fur farm shows that workers pulled rabbits out of cages by their ears and stunned the screaming animals with electrical devices. Rabbits watched as other animals had their throats cut and their heads and paws cut off with knives before the skin was peeled off their bodies. PETA is calling on Karan to join the many top fashion designers—including Calvin Klein, Stella McCartney, Ralph Lauren, and Tommy Hilfiger—who are 100 percent fur-free.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.