Thank you to all the IDA supporters and activists across the country who came together for Fur Free Friday protests on or around Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. A tradition that began twenty-eight years ago has grown into the world’s largest annual animal rights demonstration. Animal advocates urged consumers to shop cruelty-free by avoiding fur and fur-trimmed items. Every year, IDA coordinates this event with other international and local animal advocacy groups, featuring thousands of caring people speaking up for animals on the busiest shopping day of the year. Here are a few highlights from Fur Free Friday 2014!

Fur Free Friday events included protests, marches, and freezes. As in the Grand Central Freeze, where hundreds of people froze in place at a pre-arranged time, activists gathered outside the entrance of a designated store and froze in their tracks with STOP THE VIOLENCE placards scattered everywhere. Leafleters distributed information to people walking through the mass of frozen activists. Multiple videographers taped the freezes to magnify their impact on social media.

Los Angeles, California: Honorable mayor of West Hollywood, John D’Amico, the man who brought America the first city-wide fur ban, and other compassionate politicians working to enact humane legislation spoke at the Los Angeles Fur Free Friday protest on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Their efforts supported the Fur Free Ban in West Hollywood, which is currently under attack by the fur industry. Over one hundred activists marched down Rodeo Drive flanked by police and members of the press.

Click to see the Los Angeles Freeze at the Beverly Center in Los Angeles, California here.

San Francisco, California: IDA’s annual information table was a hub of activity at this year’s Fur-Free Friday event in Union Square. Activists donned red sashes as “Miss and Mister Fur-Free Friday,” greeting holiday shoppers with information about the horrors of the fur, angora, down, and leather industries and asking them to leave all products made from cruelty off their shopping lists. Over one hundred marchers stopped at stores selling fur, calling attention to their contribution to fashion cruelty, finishing with a “freeze” in front of Macy’s. This year, more shoppers than ever told us they have sworn off fur and are buying more synthetics and plant-based products in all categories. Thanks to PETA, Direct Action Everywhere, and all the dedicated activists who made Fur-Free Friday 2014 a great success.

Portland, Oregon: A typical cold, wet, and windy Portland November day didn’t stop more than 60 caring, compassionate, and dedicated activists from marching to speak up for the animals abused for their. Marchers took to the streets of downtown Portland to remind shoppers of the misery animals endure for fur and fur trim. After the event, marchers were served free vegan cake, which has become a Portland Fur Free Friday tradition.

New York, New York: Fur Free Friday 2014 was even better than the last few years. A great mix of anti-fur activists consisting of dedicated veterans and passionate newcomers made this an extremely energetic demo!

Orange, Connecticut: This year, the fur store moved to a smaller location partially due to years of anti-fur protests. This year’s Fur Free Friday was another successful day of action for the animals.

Greendale, Wisconsin: Protestors endured 5 degree temperatures on Fur Free Friday to distribute hundreds of leaflets on a heavily traveled road.

Fur Free Friday and Saturday Events occurred in the following cities. IDA provided posters and flyers for all events listed below. For event photos and information about the cruel fur industry, please visit www.furkills.org.

California
Glendale
Beverly Hills
Los Angeles
Santa Monica
Costa Mesa
San Diego
Fresno
Sacramento
San Francisco

New York
New York City
Buffalo
Long Island

Illinois
Chicago
Peoria

Orange, Connecticut
Tallahassee, Florida
Lexington, Kentucky
Minneapolis, Minnesota
North Paramus, New Jersey
Wilmington, North Carolina
Columbus, Ohio
Portland, Oregon
Whitehall, Pennsylvania
Houston, Texas
Richmond, Virginia
Greendale, Wisconsin