United Colors of PETA
An organized and publicized PETA protest took place today during lunch hours in front of the Benetton store on Stockton Street today.
Protestors were stripped to their skin and painted their bodies with colors likened to the “United Colors of Benetton” advertising campaign.
This protest is actually touring worldwide to get the message out about Benetton’s use of Australian Wool. PETA claims that Australian farmers use the practice of mulesing (shearing off skin to prevent maggot/fly infestation), as well as live export trade which apparently transports the sheep in poor, cramped conditions.
You can see PETA’s web site targeting Benetton at United Cruelty of Benetton.
A counterpoint to the mulesing claims can be found at Wool is Best.
Thanks to SFlickr member and friend Danny Dawson for the above photo.
I find Benetton’s practices when it comes to people far more disturbing than their sheep offenses.
A few years back they were subject of a lot of criticism for running a series of billboards and magazine/paper/catalogue inserts on ‘Faces of Death Row’ or something like that. Regardless of how you feel about the death penalty – these ads basically painted every inmate they could find as a victim and neglected to mention the rapes, murders, etc, they committed. Real victims’ families were, understandably, upset.
All in an effort to be edgy and cool and socially conscious too. I mean, shit, they sell plain sweaters and boring pants – what the hell should a consumer care about their views on the Death penalty here?
Kinda like those Kenneth Cole ‘hip to fake civic engagement’ ads.
Here’s a link to an old article: http://archives.cnn.com/2000/STYLE/fashion/01/18/benetton.ads/