Forever 21 Under Fire in Portland After Gruesome Wool Exposés
Protesters to Mark Start of Holiday Shopping Season
For Immediate Release:
November 21, 2018
Contact:
Brooke Rossi 202-483-7382
On Black Friday, groups of PETA supporters across the country will gather outside Forever 21 stores—including one as part of a “Fur-Free Friday” march in Portland—with signs proclaiming, “#Never21” and “Stop Selling Cruel Wool,” to urge holiday shoppers to avoid the brand until it agrees to stop selling wool.
When: Friday, November 23, 12 noon
Where: Nordstrom, 701 S.W. Broadway, Portland
The protests follow two new PETA video exposés recorded on sheep farms in Australia, the world’s largest exporter of wool and a source of wool used by Forever 21. The videos show workers beating petrified sheep in the face, deliberately mutilating them, and cutting the throats of fully conscious animals. The videos are PETA’s 10th and 11th exposés of the global wool industry since 2014, all of which the group has shared with Forever 21—but the company has refused to act.
“Sheep are beaten and mutilated for wool sweaters, coats, and scarves, and Forever 21 is profiting from this cruelty to animals,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA is calling on caring people to give sheep some peace on Earth this holiday season by choosing only wool-free, vegan apparel.”
The marchers will gather at Nordstrom at 12 noon and continue on to Forever 21’s Pioneer Place location shortly after.
PETA’s motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to wear,” and broadcast-quality video footage from PETA’s exposés is available upon request. For more information, please visit PETA.org.
