PETA does something interesting for a change

From the 2011 Bebe line

If you visit here often, you know I'm not a big fan of PETA. I find the many of their campaigns stoop to shock or exploitative sexuality to grab eyeballs on the cheap.

But now they've gone and actually done something pretty interesting.

I'll let them explain:

Since bebe has turned a deaf ear to the 80,000 people who have asked the company to ditch real fur, PETA has wheeled out our Trojan horse. We just bought stock in the company, so now we can attend its annual meetings and submit shareholder resolutions for the company to end fur sales. If you have stock, too, or know anyone who does, please let us know.

If you can't beat 'em, buy 'em. Love it. 

The messaging they want to get across is also very specific:

Will bebe like us telling its shareholders that much of the company's rabbit fur comes from China, where there are no penalties for people who abuse animals on fur farms? Will bebe want its investors to see our undercover videos of Chinese fur farms—videos that show rabbits screaming as workers slit their throats, cut off their paws and heads, and even rip the skin from their still-moving bodies? Doubt it.

I am not personally against fur farming in principle, but if the claims about conditions in China are true, and were I a shareholder, I would insist they at least get the rabbit fur from a more ethical source. I almost want to buy some Bebe stock, just so I could observe the reactions.

I'm not sure that PETA will make a huge difference in this case, but I admire the creativity of the approach of using the corporate system, legally, from within.

Of course, they're still yelling and brandishing fake dead cats outside of Bebe corporate headquarters. But baby steps.

Via PETA