2023 Fur-Free Friday Protest

The 37th Annual Fur-Free Friday protest was held on Black Friday, November 24, 2023. Although it is illegal to sell new fur products in California, there are retailers on Rodeo Drive that have not adopted a fur-free policy and continue to sell fur online and in places where the sale is still legal.

LCA and dedicated animal rights activists marched down Rodeo Drive, protesting outside of: Louis Vuitton (part of LVMH - Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy - conglomerate); Fendi (part of LVMH); Dior (part of LVMH); Loro Piana (part of LVMH); Philipp Plein; Max Mara; and Stefano Ricci. During the protest, a video truck drove up and down Rodeo Drive playing graphic images of animals suffering in the fur trade and video footage of illegal fur sales inside the Stefano Ricci store (taken during LCA's undercover investigation). An online action to email the retailers urging them to adopt a fur-free policy was setup for people unable to attend the protest.

TAKE ACTION HERE: EMAIL RODEO DRIVE STORES THAT STILL SELL CRUELTY TO DITCH FUR!

The History of Fur-Free Friday

In 1986, LCA held the first Fur-Free Friday protest against fur in Los Angeles on the Friday after Thanksgiving - widely known as Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year. Fur-Free Friday raises 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 and speak out against the luxury brands that sell fur. The protest has grown into an annual tradition, with peaceful protests held on Black Friday across the globe.

California Becomes First U.S. State to Ban Fur - Effective January 1, 2023

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 44 into law on October 12, 2019, making California the first U.S. state to ban the sale and manufacture of new fur products. The bill went into effect on January 1, 2023.

2022 Fur-Free Friday Protest

The 36th Annual Fur-Free Friday protest was held on November 26,2022, and celebrated California being the first state to go fur-free. California's fur ban went into effect on January 1, 2023, making the sale and production of fur illegal in California.

LCA and dedicated animal rights activists marched down Rodeo Drive raising awareness and educating retailers and shoppers on the horrors of the fur trade. The protesters stopped and targeted the retailers that continue to sell fur outside of California and online. Read the press release here.

2021 Fur-Free Friday Protest

The 35th Annual Fur-Free Friday protest was held on November 26, 2021 in Beverly Hills, and called on governments to "Ban Fur Globally" and retailers to "Stop Selling Cruelty." Demonstrators marched along Rodeo Drive and targeted retailers still selling fur and refusing to adopt a fur-free policy (including Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Dolce & Gabbana).

The Fur-Free Friday protest was attended by an amazing group of dedicated activists, including artist E.G. Daily, actress Alexandra Paul, and LCA President & Founder Chris DeRose. A video billboard truck displayed graphic images of the extreme cruelty inflicted on animals by the fur industry.

Animal Defenders International, CompassionWorks International, In Defense of Animals, Los Angeles Animal Save, Orange County Animal Liberation, and Animal Alliance Network co-hosted and attended the protest.

2020 Fur-Free Friday Protest

LCA's 34th Annual Fur-Free Friday demonstration was held on November 27, 2020, and raised awareness about the link between COVID-19 and mink fur farms. Since April 2020, there have been outbreaks of the virus on mink farms in over 10 countries, and over 200 people in Europe became sick with mink-related strains of the illness. Statistics from the USDA show there have been COVID-19 outbreaks on mink farms in Wisconsin, Utah, Michigan, and Oregon. At least one person has died as a result of the outbreaks. In Canada, COVID-19 outbreaks have been detected at mink farms in British Columbia.

The Fur-Free protest was attended by dedicated activists, including actress Nicky Whelan. LCA Founder Chris DeRose made a special appearance. Demonstrators educated the public about the link between 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 go fur-free immediately, and not wait till the California fur ban is enacted in 2023.

2019 Fur-Free Friday Protest

LCA's 33rd Annual Fur-Free Friday demonstration was held on November 29, 2019. Led by actress Donna D'Errico and model Raine Michaels, the demonstration 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. 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 led by animal rights activists/actresses Mena Suvari and Donna D'Errico, and former LCA undercover investigator, Bryan Monell. 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, and 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.

2016 Fur-Free Friday Protest

11/25/16 - LCA led hundreds of protestors through the streets of Beverly Hills to protest the stores still selling fur. Black Friday shoppers and passers-by were educated about the cruel fur industry and urged not to buy fur products.