Animal rights activists perform anti-leather demonstration on Broadway

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Activists from the animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) caused a stir in Downtown Nashville with a graphic demonstration of someone’s skin being torn off using special-effects makeup in front of Boot Country.

The demonstration aimed to illustrate how cows and other animals are skinned to produce leather boots, belts, and other clothing items.

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The handful of protesters got the attention of several onlookers on Broadway, as well as Metro Police, who kept an eye on the demonstration.

While some leathermakers say leather material is simply a by-product of meat production, animal rights organizations say the leather market may be driving demand for even more animals to be raised and killed for their skin.

“We’re calling on retailers to stop contributing to this enormous suffering and the environmental destruction of leather production by simply switching to vegan leather,” said Tricia Lebrkucher, Senior Manager of Campaigns for PETA.

PETA encourages people to visit their cruelty-free fashion guide and purchase vegan or faux leather instead of leather from animals.

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News 2 reached out to Boot Country for comment on the protest and they did not wish to participate in an interview for this story.

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