First target was Flannels who lied about their fur sales, now claiming that they are not stocking real fur but refusing to issue an updated statement. Could this be to do with the coyote coats spotted on a number of occassions in previous days? Banners were unfurled outside the store and "Fur Trade Death Trade. Boycott Flannels" was chanted over megaphones, much to the attention of their potential customers.

Next stop was Hip Clothing who told us that they had removed the oppossum fur coats, but again refuse to issue a statement. So from previous experience, we continued demonstrating and people came out from neighbouring shops to look at the demo covering both Hip stores in the arcade. One woman came out from Hip and asked us to move because it "Is the first saturday in December and our busiest day of the year." Yes we know, that's why we chose that day to demo you!

Another lying store was next - Season's Boutique. This shop has continously told us that they are not stocking fur and do not intend to again, yet have got it back in time after time. Information tells us that their furs are all imported from China, where animals are routinely skinned alive, stamped on and are fully conscious when they have their skinned ripped off. Remember the undercover footage with the bloodied fox, which lifts its head up and stares into the camera after it has been stamped on and it's skin ripped off? Activists were invited into the store to look at the fact that they had no fur in at current, yet like Flannels had it in a few days prior to the demo's. The manager also admitted that Season's would stock fur in future years. So outside a noisy demo was held, letting everyone know what abuse this shop supports.

Last stop in Leeds was Skin 2 at the Corn Exchange. Activists stood opposite the enterance to the shopping precinct and chanted as well as holding banners, naming and shaming Skin 2. Members of the public gave support and said they will go in and complain to the store about the sale of fox fur.

Activists then moved into Sophie's Choice in Horsforth who currently have the much hated full-length mink and fox fur coats on sale, as well as trim. The store owner got straight on the phone for ages, and suddenly her friends begun pulling up in their cars and wanting to buy clothes! We've seen it all before Sophie's Choice and it doesn't wash with us. Animal abuse is not profitable and that's the end of that. Many passing locals gave support and one even added his own comments about the store manager; and on top of this honks came from passing traffic.

The demo's then moved onto Harrogate and the first to be demo'd in North Yorkshire was Cruise Clothing, who like a number of others gave a statement last year and has not stuck to it. Fox and rabbit is currently being stocked in their stores. The street echo'd with chants of "Cruise, Cruise what do you say? How many animals died today!" People passing took leaflets and showed support.

Julie Fitzmaurice are long-term stockers of real fur which has this season included full-length rabbit coats, fox trimmed jackets, rabbit bags and more. These people put 'fashion' over compassion and do not care about the suffering on fur farms. Nobody entered the store and many vowed to boycott Fitzmaurice until they adopt a fur-free policy.

Campaigners then travelled to York to visit Chique who stock rabbit furs. Leaflets were given out calling upon the public to boycott the store and lots gave a positive response. This store has only been open a few weeks and cannot do with adverse publicity and being associated with such barbaric cruelty. Well the answer is simple - dump the fur!

Giselle Ladieswear received their first demo after they were found to be stocking rabbit fur coats, bags and scarves. After the chants begun, Giselle closed both doors but when they worked out it wouldn't stop the noise because we were so loud they came out and begun negotiating. It became apparent that their suppliers had informed them that the fur was a by-product of the meat industry, but the owner was informed this is just a myth spread by the fur industry to try and recover falling sales. After a long discussion about how the meat industry industry in Germany, where the items come from, does not produce enough fur to fulfill the needs of the fur industry, so she agreed to issue a policy. We still await this, so until it comes Giselle is a venue for demo's.

Just before closing time, campaigners moved onto Ever New. This novelty gift shop import all their fur from China and they were informed that until all fur is taken off sale, we will expose the cruelty they support. The owner came out and took down details to issue a fur-free policy.

Throughout the day, it became apparent how seriously the police, authoroties and fur stockers are taking our Fur-Free North campaign. The day prior to the NARN fur tour, police officers had visited every shop named on our website warning them that they could be demonstrated against the follwing day, hence many stores hiding their fur for the day! How good it must be for business - having noisy demo's outside your store, public being oppossed to you and cops coming into your store, and your store's public face being demolished by the animal abuse you are contributing to.


Stores visited:

Flannels Leeds,
68-78 Vicar Lane,
Leeds, LS1 7JH
Tel: 0113 234 9977
 flannels.leeds@theflannelsgroup.co.uk

Hip Clothing Ltd,
9/14 Thornton's Arcade,
Briggate, Leeds,
LS1 6LQ
Tel / Fax: 0113 242 4617
 info@hipleeds.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/hipleeds

Season's Boutique,
Unit 15, The Light,
The Headrow,
Leeds, LS1 8TL
Tel / Fax: 0113 243 8122

Skin 2,
The Corn Exchange,
Call Lane, Leeds,
LS1 7BR
Tel: 0113 2717559
Mob: 0797 1484 871

Cruise Clothing,
44-49 James Street,
Harrogate, HG1 1RF
Tel: 01423 568 170 / 01423 508 416
 recruitment@cruiseclothing.co.uk

Julie Fitzmaurice,
38-42 Parliament Street,
Harrogate, HG1 2RL
Tel: 01423 562932

Chique,
Low Petergate,
York, YO1 7HZ
Tel: 01904 653007

Giselle Ladieswear,
14 Swinegate,
York, YO1 8AZ
Tel / Fax: 01904 639210

Ever New,
3-4 Bridge Street,
York, YO1 6QQ
Tel: 01904 676700
Mobile: 07800 737131
 bchun1003@hotmail.com