Streakers Have Day in Court After Exposing Adidas at World Cup Game

PORTLAND, Ore. – Two animal activists will be arraigned today for charges of disorderly conduct after grabbing headlines around the world for streaking the Women's World Cup game, October 5, between USA and Germany. Meg Voht and Connie Durkee ran naked onto the pitch in the 57th minute of the game with nothing on but shoes and carrying banners that read, "Boycott Adidas" and "Adidas Kills Kangaroos."

The act of civil disobedience was intended to get under the skin of Adidas and raise awareness about the millions of kangaroos that are brutally killed to make soccer shoes. The arraignment is today, October 27, 2003 at 1:30 PM in the Circuit Court, Westside Community Court, Justice Center Courtroom #1, 1120 SW 3rd Ave.

"If exposing our skin is what we have to do in order to help save the skins of millions of kangaroos in Australia who are cruelly killed just to make a soccer shoe then we will," said Meg Vogt a local soccer player and animal lover. "Adidas has been exposed for participating in this massacre."

"Why destroy wildlife in order to make a shoe? There is simply no excuse. Especially when you consider that there are several synthetic alternatives available to make sports shoes," said Connie Durkee, Outreach Coordinator for In Defense of Animals.

"Australian law allows the bludgeoning of baby kangaroos after they have been torn from their mothers pouches -- just to make shoes," said lauren Ornelas, US Campaigns Director Viva!USA.

Viva!, an international organization with its USA headquarters in Davis, CA, is organizing a global campaign against Adidas' use of kangaroo skins because the sports giant is the driving force behind the slaughter, with 70% of the market for kangaroo skin soccer shoes.

Synthetic materials are currently available to make soccer cleats, and many companies use them - including Adidas. In May 2003, the California-based animal rights group Viva!USA filed a lawsuit against Adidas based on California Penal Code § 653o, which states that the body parts or products of kangaroos cannot be imported or sold in the state. For more information, including a copy of the legal complaint and video of the hunting, go to www.savethekangaroo.com.

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