Will West Hollywood Become 'Fur Free' Capital of the United States?

Ted Soqui

West Hollywood City Council candidate John D'Amico

It was probably only a matter of time that the "fur free" movement would come to West Hollywood, and now it's officially here, with West Hollywood City Council candidate John D'Amico making it an issue on the campaign trail.

"West Hollywood has the opportunity to once again be a leader for animal welfare by becoming the first fur free city in the nation," D'Amico's campaign web site reads. "We have pledged to be a place that is free of cruelty to animals and we can no longer support the barbaric fur trade by selling the products of that cruelty in our city."

D'Amico points out that, in 1989, West Hollywood City Council members passed one of those well-meaning, headline-grabbing resolutions and proclaimed West Hollywood to be a "Cruelty Free Zone for Animals."

D'Amico's web site says it's "time to further the effort to make good on that promise" and end the selling of fur in West Hollywood.

Indeed.

Animal rights activists are probably pleased as punch about D'Amico's call for a "fur free" West Hollywood, which would turn the small, 1.9-square-mile city into the Fur Free Capital of the United States.

But it would sure put a crimp on fashion designers and retailers who have stores in West Hollywood.

We're not saying these folks use fur in their collections or sell clothing with fur, but such designers and retailers as Maxfield, Alexander McQueen, John Varvatos, 3.1 Philip Lim, Armani Exchange, and numerous others will probably have no leeway to do anything with fur if West Hollywood politicians approve a ban.

City Council members may make exceptions of some sort -- look at its confusing proposed outdoor smoking ban ordinance -- but exactly who's going to enforce a fur free ordinance? The L.A. County Sheriff's Department, which patrols West Hollywood?

There will be a "fur free" rally in West Hollywood on Saturday, January 29, at the intersection of Santa Monica and Crescent Heights boulevards at 12 noon.

Contact Patrick Range McDonald at pmcdonald@laweekly.com.

Tags:

Alexander McQueen, City Council, Fur Free, John D'Amico, Maxfield, Patrick Range McDonald, West Hollywood

We Recommend

US Mink Farmers

While you don't see mink coats in West Hollywood when it's 75 degrees outside (like it was last week!), you do see lots of Ugg boots -- yes, those are fur and Californians luv 'em!

Learn all about natural fiber cold weather clothing, "fur," at the US mink farmers' website, furcommission.com

Ellen L

This ban can set precedent for the rest of the U.S., much like the Los Angles spay and neuter ordinance which has since spread across the nation. Buying a fur is like buying a blood diamond or a dog from a puppy mill. It has come out of the suffering of a living, sentient being. Just like there are alternatives to blood diamonds, and dogs born out of puppy mills, there are alternatives to fur. Seriously, no one will freeze or not look beautiful without them.

Linda

In the midst of all the issues the city of west hollywood is facing in this very important election. Fur! is one of his campaign points. WTF? Once again we see that we might have the possibility of having another council member shoving things down wehos throat. NO DIFFERENT THEN ABBE OR JOHN.

George Willes

Activist and hopefully elected officials can chew gum and walk at the same time, so the point that there are other more important issues is a non-starter. Maybe you should watch how animals are put to death by anal electrocution before you write this nonsense...

Lovescats

This ban on selling fur in WeHo will have no impact at all on "all the issues the city of West Hollywood is facing..." so what is your problem, Linda? Have you no heart? The killing of animals to make a fashion statement is wrong. It's that simple. I'm guessing you don't have the courage to watch even one video beginning to end of an animal being killed and skinned so people can have a "cool" fur trim on their jackets or boots. If you do have the guts, go here http://features.peta.org/Chine... for a quick education.

Mrcmx2

I love that weho has been cruelty free since 1989. Yet weho still has TONS of places that serve food from factory farms. Hahaha were so progressive and cruelty free my ass.

Vegmouse

That would be wonderful. Seems like a perfect fit for West Hollywood. Last year's "fffashion L.A." the fur free fashion show in West Hollywood sponsored by Born Free USA was a hit. http://www.bornfreeusa.org/fff...

mattnothing

I'm very happy to support a fur free West Hollywood - I hope this passes. Thanks John D'Amico for sticking up for fur bearing animals and thanks LA Weekly for bringing us this story!

Irc

Well Di I wish indeed that fur was not in fashion any more since that movement to ban fur started in the 80's and lasted almost 20 years. But if we know anything about fashion is that that what usually goes out of fashion comes right back 20 years later. Check this link out for the 2011 fashion report. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/fem...

Fantastic! I'm surprised people see it as extremist although I do question how this may be enforced as much as trying to enforce a law that says don't eat factory-farmed animal products. Fur is NOT en-vogue. It is extremely tasteless and barbaric and I feel embarrassed for those who wear it. It's akin to wearing scalps on your belt. Just wear a sign that says I'm an ugly ugly violent person - it's cheaper and very much to the point. People need to evolve and see compassion as a strength, not a weakness.

Pam

West Hollywood RULES! All cities should strive to be at the forefront of compassion as WeHo is! Anyone that has seen the documentary, "The Witness" and/or "Skin Trade" knows the horrors of skinning animals for their fur and it should be outlawed everywhere. BLESS YOU, John D'Amico!

Aggenbach

Great news West Hollywood! It is important to set an example. I believe it is not the enforcement but the move towards becoming fur free that is important. It brings awareness to this very cruel industry. The designers will re-evaluate and will hopefully become more informed and aware with a trickle down effect.

Info

Great article! Thanks for posting! Go West Hollywood!! Finally, a city with initiative, intelligence and compassion! It is time to take a good, hard look at what people wear and consume. Wearing fur is wearing cruelty and torture. I am so excited about this! I hope everyone gets on board!

SusanaS

It's pretty clear to me this means "end the selling of fur," not wearing it. I would doubt WeHo is about as willing to dictate what people wear as they are what people do in bed.

But Stella McCartney is fur-free and also has a store there, as does BCBG, Betsey Johnson (I think), Kenneth Cole and a bunch of others.

Ed Buck

Way to go John D'Amico! True to our values, we cannot be against animal cruelty and sell the product of animal curelty: fur.

Tsar

another "progressive" extremist

ly31

vipshopper.us

Brett

So, anybody wearing fur or fur products gets arrested? I don't see this law surviving a challenge. Unlike anti-smoking ordinances, which debatably have something to do with public health (even though non-smokers are still sucking in exhaust fumes from gas-burning cars in those "no smoking" cities), a ban on fur has nothing to do with public health and everything to do with legislating some kind of morality. It's no good when the Right does it, and it's no better when the Left does it.

Lovescats

The ban on fur is a ban on SELLING fur. And there are many laws that one would consider "moral" laws such as those that address child labor or environment. Many laws have some moral basis, so what exactly is your point?