Shouting “Compassion is a fashion, fur is dead!” two protesters from a North Carolina chapter of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) stripped down to painted-on leopard spots Friday at the corner of Union and South Main to demonstrate their gripes with the fur industry.
“Leopard Lady” Kayla Rae Worden and a man who would only identify himself as “Kristo” visited Memphis as the last stop on a four-city tour that included Tampa, Mobile, and Biloxi. In other cities, Worden and Kristo protested the Ringling Bros. Circus by wearing only painted-on tiger stripes and promoted vegetarianism by wearing nothing but lettuce leaves. According to Worden, nudity is the best way to get attention when trying to promote their cause.
“If I came out here and said I was going to hold a press conference, I don’t think I’d get much coverage. But if I can bare my skin for the animals, I’ll do it,” said Worden.
Worden said that animals on fur farms are anally electrocuted and confined in deplorable conditions.
She said she’s been arrested during her protests about 10 times and was once deported after a protest in Beijing, China. The two had no encounters with police in Memphis.
