Singer Beyoncé’s been taking quite a bit of heat for lip-syncing “The Star Spangled Banner” during the 57th Presidential Inauguration. Adding to her misery today is Friends of Animals, as they released an open letter to the pop star demanding that she stop wearing animal fur.
Beyoncé and husband Jay-Z showed up at the inauguration dressed to impress, with Jay-Z in a nice grey suit and Beyoncé decked out in a velvet/chiffon black gown and full length Christian Dior mink coat.
For years People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, better known as PETA, have targeted the pop star for wearing expensive furs. Their relationship was so bad, that PETA ambushed Beyoncé and her mother back in 2007 while they were dining out. PETA pulled out a portable DVD player and began playing a tape of Pamela Anderson's attack on the fur industry, which highlights graphic footage of the process of killing animals for their fur.
In 2008, after a full winter without Beyoncé being spotted in fur, PETA sent the newlywed star and her rapper husband Jay-Z a faux-fur throw as a wedding gift.
It looks like the honeymoons over and now both Friends of Animals and PETA are(fur)ious.
In the open letter from Friends of Animals they ask the singer, “What does it mean when one of the most popular musicians in the world endorses the fur trade in such a dramatic way,” answering their own question they continue, “The message is that fur-bearing animals who are shot, clubbed, electrocuted, caught in traps, or have their necks broken on breeding farms don't matter.”
Maybe next winter we’ll see a fur free Beyoncé.
Below is the open letter in its entirety:
Dear Beyoncé Knowles:
People worldwide heard and watched your appearance at President Obama's second inauguration ceremony. Friends of Animals' members and supporters were among the millions who saw, or will see images of, you in a Christian Dior mink coat.
What does it mean when one of the most popular musicians in the world endorses the fur trade in such a dramatic way? The message is that fur-bearing animals who are shot, clubbed, electrocuted, caught in traps, or have their necks broken on breeding farms don't matter. Their skins are viewed as belonging to humans. It's a destructive and irresponsible message to many who deeply admire you.
Opulent, elegant, but most of all conscientious alternatives to fur abound, and to commit to ethical fashion statements would educate your fans in a meaningful way. You have the power to turn your message around.
We at Friends of Animals, an animal-advocacy organization founded in 1957, ask you to publicly reject fur. We agree that fur is beautiful--on the bodies of those who were born in it.
Edita Birnkrant
NY Director
Friends of Animals
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