Written by Michelle Sherrow
Update: Trenton Mayor Tony Mack has accepted PETA's offer to "TP" city hall and other government buildings in Trenton, saying in a news release, "I am pleased that an organization that stands against animal cruelty is willing to cross over and invest in a fundamental issue in our community." No problem, Mayor Mack—we're happy to be able to help get Trenton out of this sticky situation.
Trenton, New Jersey, has a going growing problem. A budget stalemate has prevented the city from approving a $42,573 paper-products purchase, and supplies are running low. Trenton will likely run out of toilet paper for its government buildings next week, so we're rolling out our solution. We've offered to send Trenton a 6-month supply of toilet paper that is so decorative the rolls won't need Jonathan Adler–designed covers.
This bathroom reading material could keep Trentonians clean in more ways than one. By going vegan, city employees would avoid ingesting the feces, vomit, and bacteria that contaminates much meat.
I can't think of a better reason to skip to the loo.
Written by PETA
As a woman and an as-proud-as-you-can-be resident of New Jersey, I have to say that this latest piece of news frightened me right down to my … toes. The New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling was seriously considering a ban on any and all waxing of our lady-parts—particularly "Brazilians"—after two women wound up hospitalized with infections they contracted following their, ahem, extreme waxes. The idea of a ban has been dropped but that’s not stopping us here at PETA. As you know, we are decidedly anti-fur—at least when it comes to fur that's been stolen from animals—and think women should have the right to shed as much fur as they want!
I mean, let's face it—if you're popping into the back room of your nail salon for a $15 Brazilian, you're probably going to get what you pay for, but that's no reason to consider a universal ban on waxing.
With that in mind, we're dispatching our lovely Leopard Ladies to the garden state to speak up for every woman's right to go as bare as she dares—and, more importantly, to call attention to a much grosser type of fur trim. You know, the stuff you see on the coats and jackets of people who don't know any better? And what better way to get tongues wagging about this very important issue than a billboard—specifically, this billboard:
Look out, Trenton! This will hopefully be coming soon to a billboard near you.
Written by Amanda Schinke
Just a stone's throw away from my favorite New York City restaurant is an Urban Outfitters store, whose aisles I've been known to peruse after a hearty meal of soul "chicken" and homemade "ice cream" (all vegan, of course!). Imagine my shock when, during a recent visit, I spotted fur in Urban Outfitters. Not acceptable. It's 2009, and with major retailers such as Calvin Klein, Liz Claiborne, Polo Ralph Lauren, Gap, Nike, JCPenney—and just about everyone else under the sun—going fur-free, Urban Outfitters should have known better. But we all make mistakes … unfortunately.
Well, after several personal e-mails to Urban Outfitters' CEO followed by a PETA action alert, I'm happy to report that just a few months—and a few thousand e-mails—later, Urban Outfitters has become fur-free! In an e-mail I received from the company late last week, a representative wrote, "[T]here is no fur in our stores, and this will continue to be the case."
Kudos to Urban Outfitters for making this compassionate decision, and kudos to all our great supporters who help us win victories for animals by participating in campaigns like this one.
Unfortunately, not all companies are as easily convinced. We sure could use your help persuading Macy's to go fur-free.
Written by Matt Prescott
If you have a general question for PETA and would like a response, please e-mail Info@peta.org. If you need to report cruelty to an animal, please click here. If you are reporting an animal in imminent danger and know where to find the animal and if the abuse is taking place right now, please call your local police department. If the police are unresponsive, please call PETA immediately at 757-622-7382 and press 2.
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