Voters for Animal Rights calls on fur industry to stop directing non-NYC residents to lie to Council Members
NEW YORK CITY — An audio recording obtained by Voters for Animal Rights catches organizers for the fur industry directing non-NYC residents to use false addresses when calling into Council Members offices in opposition to the fur sales ban bill. Additionally, the audio recording documents a coordinated effort to have non-constituents “jam up” the phone line of Council Members to give the illusion of opposition.
The Daily News reported, “Two people with FurNYC, which reps 130 fur retailers and manufacturers in the city, told attendees at a May 22 meeting for the group that they should lie about their residency and “annoy” Council members as part of efforts to kill legislation that would outlaw pelt sales. Those present were also told to have their friends and family call Council members – whether or not they lived in the five boroughs.”
“The fur industry knows that 75% of New York City voters support a fur sales ban and is now resorting to lying to Council Members to defeat this bill. This unethical Trump-like tactic is a telltale sign that they are on the wrong side of history.” Said Matthew Dominguez, Political Director for Voters for Animal Rights. “Directing non-NYC residents to lie to Council Members about being residents by giving false address is disgraceful and threatens our democracy which relies on elected officials hearing from those they represent not out-of-state frauds.”
“We are disgusted by the tactics the fur industry has resorted to.” Said Allie Taylor, President of Voters for Animal Rights. “But what do you expect from an industry that abuses millions of animals each year for profit and has been engaging in unethical lobbying tactics for months?”
About the fur industry:
Worldwide, over 100 million animals are abused and killed for their fur every year. Whether raised on fur-farms in tiny wire cages or trapped from the wild with cruel leg-hold traps, fur-bearing animals -- including foxes, coyotes, wolves, otters, dogs, cats, and raccoon dogs -- have unimaginable cruelty inflicted upon them. Designers, retailers, and cities around the world are joining together in banning the sale of fur and shutting down fur farms due to the cruelties involved. In the past 18 months, Prada, Chanel, Phillip Lim, Jean Paul Gaultier, Coach, Burberry, Gucci, Michael Kors, and more, have all banned fur. Here in the US, the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco have recently banned the sale and manufacturing of fur, while cities and countries across Europe and Asia are seeking to do the same.
Resources:
Mason-Dixon poll results showing 75% of NYC voters support a fur sales ban
Fashion guru, Tim Gunn Pens Editorial in Support of Proposed NYC Fur Ban
Ban all fur sales in NYC: Stop sanctioning the torture of animals, writes Anjelica Huston
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Media Contacts:
Voters for Animal Rights: Matthew Dominguez, 202-853-7331, matt@vfar.org
Voters for Animal Rights’ mission is to help elect candidates who support animal protection, lobby for strong laws to stop animal cruelty, and hold elected officials accountable to humane voters. We work to gain legally enforceable fundamental rights for animals by codifying animal rights into law.
Fur Free NYC is a coalition of over 50 not-for-profit organizations working to ban the sale of fur in New York City.