Inauguration Souvenirs for the Homeless: Fur Coats?

by Shannon Moriarty · 2009-01-15 04:00:00 UTC
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Headed to D.C. next week? Be sure to keep an eye out for homeless people wearing... [wait for it]... fur coats.

No, not kidding. As millions descend upon our nation's capital for Obama's historic inauguration, homeless people will stick out like sore thumbs giant hamsters.

See, PETA has been collecting donated furs for years from fashionistas who've had a “change of heart.” In the past the animal rights group used them for street theater and anti-fur demonstrations. Now they're giving them to the homeless at the inauguration, perhaps their biggest demonstration yet.

From The Swamp:

PETA plans to give away fur coats to the homeless while offering hot soy milk cocoa in cups that read: "Thank You for Not Wearing Fur!"

"We expect that the only fur on the streets on Jan. 20 will be on homeless people," said Bruce Friedrich, PETA vice president.

Now I know what you're thinking: “If I were homeless and someone handed me a fur coat, I'd just sell it and spend the cash on something more practical.” Well, not so fast. PETA marks the furs with black paint so they cannot be resold.

So what do you think?  Is this the best way for PETA to help the homeless?

Of course a fur coat is plenty warm, but if you ask me, living on the street is bad enough without having to look like a pimp.

Shannon Moriarty has worked in various homeless shelters and service organizations around the country. She is a graduate student studying housing and urban policy at Tufts University.
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