SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) welcomed Shannon Elizabeth (Actress, American Pie), Ashley Welgan (Public Policy Specialist, The Humane Society), and Marc Ching (Founder, Animal Hope in Legislation) to the State Capitol to discuss AB 44 (Friedman), a bill prohibiting the sale and manufacture of fur in California. They discussed the nonnecessity of the fur industry’s outdated practices.
“Today, when there are so many alternatives that make fur completely unnecessary, there is no reason to continue to participate in the fur trade in California.” said Shannon Elizabeth. “It’s 2019, not 1819. Circumstances change, we learn, and we must grow with the times. Ashley Welgan highlighted that the fur industry not only harms animals, but to our environment as well.
“We’ve seen that when companies look into how fur is produced, they quickly realize that there is no way to humanely source fur.” said Ashley Welgan. “In addition to the animal cruelty inherent in fur production, companies are realizing that the fur industry poses serious environmental threats as well.”
“Animals that are used in fur products are only slaughtered for their fur. These wild animals, that have an innate desire roam free, are kept in tiny cages. These animals are inhumanely trapped in leg traps until they bleed to death.” pronounced Assemblymember Friedman. “This is not the way that we as Californians express our values.”
“In California compassion is everything. We have humane standards, and in those we are the leaders of this nation. The fur trade cannot be allowed anymore.” said Marc Ching. “We are so grateful to Assemblymember Laura Friedman for carrying this legislation.”
If passed and signed into law, AB 44 would make California the first state in the nation to outlaw the sale and manufacture of fur products within its borders.
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Laura Friedman represents the 43rd Assembly District which encompasses the cities of Burbank, Glendale, and La Cañada Flintridge, as well as the communities of La Crescenta and Montrose, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Atwater Village, Beachwood Canyon, Los Feliz, East Hollywood, Franklin Hills, and Silver Lake.