Fur Farms Spread COVID-19

This year, the focus of Fur-Free-Friday will be raising awareness about the link between COVID-19 and mink fur farms. Since April 2020, there have been outbreaks of COVID-19 on mink farms in over 10 countries, and over 200 people in Europe have become sick with mink-related strains of the illness. Although there have been no known cases of COVID-19 mink-to-human transmission in the United States, statistics from the USDA show there have been COVID-19 outbreaks on mink farms in Wisconsin, Utah, Michigan, and Oregon. In Canada, a COVID-19 outbreak has been detected at a mink farm in British Columbia.

Warning: Video contains graphic footage.

The History of Fur-Free Friday

In 1986, LCA held the first Fur-Free Friday protest in Los Angeles, CA on the Friday after Thanksgiving—widely known as Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year—to raise awareness for the atrocities inflicted on millions of fur-bearing animals that are slaughtered each year for the sake of fashion. Protesters march down the world-famous Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California, and speak out against the furriers and luxury brands that sell fur. Since 2016, Certificates of Recognition have been presented to brands who have committed to going fur-free. The protest has grown into a national tradition, with peaceful protests held on Black Friday in multiple cities across the United States each year.

California Bans the Sale of Fur Products - Effective 1/1/2023

On October 12, 2019, Governor Newsom signed AB 44 into law, making California the first state in the nation to ban the sale and manufacture of new fur products. The bill does not go into effect until January 1, 2023. LCA is demanding retailers in California and the rest of the world to immediately stop selling fur products—and not wait until 2023. Let retailers know you won't support them until they commit to going fur-free NOW!

2020 Fur-Free Friday Protest

11/27/20 - LCA's 34th Annual Fur-Free Friday demonstration was attended by an amazing group of dedicated activists, including actress Nicky Whelan. LCA Founder Chris DeRose also made a special appearance. Demonstrators educated the public about the link COVID-19 and mink fur farms, and stopped outside retailers still selling fur (Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Dolce & Gabbana), urging these companies to going fur-free immediately before the California fur ban is enacted in 2023.

2019 Fur-Free Friday Protest

11/29/19 — LCA's 33rd Annual Fur-Free Friday demonstration, led by actress Donna D'Errico and model Raine Michaels drew a large crowd of anti-fur protesters to demand retailers still selling fur to commit to going fur-free immediately, not in 2023 when the California fur ban takes effect. This year, LCA awarded Versace and Prada with Certificates of Recognition for committing to going fur-free.

2018 Fur-Free Friday Protest

11/23/18 — LCA's 32nd Annual Fur-Free Friday demonstration drew a large crowd of anti-fur protesters and was once again led by animal rights activists/actresses Mena Suvari and Donna D'Errico, as well as former LCA undercover investigator Bryan Monell. This year, LCA awarded Burberry, Coach, Jimmy Choo, and Michael Kors Certificates of Recognition for committing to going fur-free.

2017 Fur-Free Friday Protest

11/24/17 — LCA's Fur-Free Friday protest garnered over 200 protesters and was led by "actorvists" Mena Suvari and Donna D'Errico, along with Bryan Monell, LCA's 2017 Activist of the Year Award recipient and former LCA undercover investigator who was instrumental in passing the historic West Hollywood fur ban, which went into effect on September 21, 2013. LCA awarded Gucci, Guess, Giorgio Armani, and Hugo Boss for their commitment to going fur-free.