Jul17
Burberry Shuts PETA VP out of Meeting
Posted at 04:04 PM | Permalink
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Comments (21)
Burberry representatives denied entry to Bruce Friedrich this morning, an action that we believe clearly violates the rules that govern publicly traded companies. Bruce, appearing as a proxy, had registered in time, confirmed his registration, and showed proper identification and a copy of his proxy voucher card to officials—but to no avail.
One might suspect that the problem here is that Friedrich is an outspoken opponent of the use of fur in Burberry’s clothing, and they don't want their shareholders to hear what he has to say.
Bruce was slated to speak and urge shareholders to end the company's use of fur, as stated in the shareholder statement that PETA Europe had sent directly to Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts as well as their chair and chief designer. Included with the statement was video footage showing fur-bearing animals caught in traps, animals chewing off their own limbs to escape, and animals on fur farms crammed in tiny, filthy cages until they were killed by gassing, anal or vaginal electrocution, or having their necks broken.
Since Burberry is based in the United Kingdom, where cruel fur farms are illegal, they have resorted to importing animal pelts from Finland. Says Friedrich, "Burberry might not want its shareholders to hear about the company's support for cruelty to animals so extreme that if the practices it supports were conducted in the United Kingdom, they would be illegal, but it has no right to shut out debate".
Posted by Sean Conner
TAGGED:
Fur Burberry shareholder bruce friedrich
Comments
it would have made for very uncomfortable hearing .. wouldn't it for their shareholders..? ie. they are partaking in all this trade in misery, torture and death of so many fur bearing animals.. so Burberry by blocking BF out of the meeting was in effect.. 'censoring' this unpalatable truth.. Burberry.. your action says it all.. you find the truth very uncomfortable indeed!!!!
Posted by: lizc | July 17, 2008 04:18 PM
Ugh. Burberry opened a store in Mpls at the Mall of America. At first, I went in and looked around and wanted to buy everything. Now I won't ever go in again until they change their policies. Not sure how people can knowingly support this kind of treatment of animals. From now on, I'll stick to drooling over Stella McCartney fashions!
Posted by: Jill K. | July 17, 2008 04:19 PM
It sounds like Burberry violated some laws -- I hope PETA files a complaint with the proper governmental agency and/or files a lawsuit! Bruce had every right to be there as a shareholder. Who wants to wear Burberry anyway -- so stuffy and predictable.
Posted by: April | July 17, 2008 04:54 PM
Burberry=KFC anyone!!?? What the heck is so difficult here? Peta is not going away anytime soon!! Don't get them started cause they'll find another way in I'm sure!! Change your ways already!! I"M even sick of hearing about your guys' slackness to change!! Simple changes and they'll go away!!!
Posted by: Carla | July 17, 2008 05:35 PM
I have no respect for Burberry - a rascal enterprise which stands for animal torture and greedy bloody money making without soul and conscience!
Posted by: SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION | July 17, 2008 06:28 PM
They have an opportunity to score some big PR brownie points, but they seem unaware. They should have heard Bruce out, and then the shareholders could make up their own minds.
Posted by: Mike Quinoa | July 17, 2008 06:35 PM
Blood-Money is red not green
It's greed that motivates these cruel, belligerent low-lifes. Misery needs to be their trademark not class. How can this greed, this taking of nature's creatures that belong to us all for safe-keeping be their personal war-chest? Am I on the right planet? Have they heard of fake fur or is that too costly? What price agonizing cruelty suffering deceitful pain? If they had 1/2 a brain, they would stand up for the law and morals. Their crimes are without pardon.
Posted by: Daylight365 | July 17, 2008 08:56 PM
Please would you tell me what is being done about the horrific pratice put on geese and duck for there so called foie gas( pate)
Posted by: ann luyt | July 17, 2008 09:20 PM
this is not acceptable!!! if people want to support the fur industry, buy or wear fur products they should have to witness how these poor little creatures are skinned alive... i have never been so upset as i was after watching that video... this industry has to stop. there is no need for fur, it's cruel, evil and ugly.
Posted by: nicole | July 18, 2008 12:08 AM
Boycott Burberry and sell their stock since it value will go down. wankers
Posted by: Roxanne | July 18, 2008 02:28 AM
Burberry is a bunch of Nazis!!!
I can't even believe they would do this!
Basically they just told the world they are GUILTY and know about the abuses and support it.
Of course, Burberry products are cheap junk made by slave labor anyway, so it is no surprise.
Posted by: kelly | July 18, 2008 12:27 PM
Just because you're denied entry into a meeting doesn't mean you still can't speak. I am certain his voice can and will be heard in other places that could possibly affect this company in a negative way.
Posted by: brandie r | July 18, 2008 01:25 PM
It would figure.
Although it is irksome indeed, I think it should be seen as a small victory. They are clearly intimidated.
Posted by: Alison | July 18, 2008 11:09 PM
I dont think i will walk into a Burberry store anymore
Posted by: Callie | July 19, 2008 04:46 AM
my husband and i went to holt renfrew and he wanted to buy a few shirts from burberry i started telling him of in front of the salesperson then he tells me theres no fur on them you people are so uneducated well anyways he did not buy burberry we will never buy any product that carrys fur so that loser of a company lost about 800 of our money
Posted by: Tracy | July 19, 2008 09:41 AM
They have urgly clothes and expensive. Who want to wear these urgly things which especially are made from the killing of animals!
Posted by: jessie | July 19, 2008 06:40 PM
What! You mean they stopped an obvious attempt to derail a company earnings report meeting!?!
Well I never!
Posted by: Matt | July 20, 2008 09:31 AM
Says alot about Burberry. I hope they are made to redress this violation. Go Bruce!
Posted by: lynda downie | July 21, 2008 12:50 AM
Well said, Lynda! How can this company get away with this.
BTW, I don't know what Burberry is, I assmume it's some fancy clothing store - next time I'm in NYC I'll have to visit it. NOT!
Posted by: Maya, C.V.T. | July 21, 2008 10:59 AM
I JUST E-MAILED THE CEO OF BURBERRY. I HOPE I CAN FORWARD HER REPLEY TO YOU SOON. SHE REFER TO "FUR" AS "NATURAL HIDE" AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NEVER BUY "NATURAL HIDE" FROM CHINA. ONLY IN FINLAND WERE IT WAS "NOT CRUEL IN THE MATTER THAT THEY GET THE NATURAL HIDE FROM". I WAS SHOCKED THAT SHE THOUGHT ALSO THAT BURBERRY WAS BEING VIEWED IN A INACCURATED WAY. HOPE TO E-MAIL YOU THERE RESPONSE SOON. PLEASE E-MAIL ME BACK ON HOW I CAN FORWARD THIS TO YOU.(YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS TO YOU ,SO YOU CAN POST IT IF YOU WOULD LIKE} BUY THE WAY , I INFORMED THEM THAT I WOULD BE BOYCOTTING THEM. THANK YOU ,SHARI
Posted by: SHARI PEARSON | August 16, 2008 12:14 AM
Burberry is being fairly judged. They should have known that turning away a PETA vice-president would have led to trouble. I hope they get it like a smack to the face, and get it through their thick heads to STOP KILLING ANIMALS!
Posted by: Animal lover in the world | October 1, 2008 02:19 PM