Black Friday protest: PETA activists demonstrate in front of the Coach store in Miami

Activists from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, known as PETA, protested outside the Coach store in Miami’s Brickell City Center on Black Friday to draw attention to the luxury retailer’s sale of “animal- and planet-killing leather.”

“Every leather item is sewn with the misery of a thinking and feeling being who died in agony,” Tracy Reiman, executive vice president of PETA, said in a statement released by the global animal rights group. “PETA calls on Coach to stop selling the severed skin of tortured animals and urges holiday shoppers to remove cruelty from their gift list by refusing to purchase leather.”

The protest on S. Miami Avenue is part of PETA’s nationwide “Free the Animals Friday” initiative, which urges holiday shoppers to choose “cruelty-free vegan options.”

Activists from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, known as PETA, protested outside the Coach store in Miami's Brickell City Center on Black Friday to draw attention to the luxury retailer's sale of — Activists from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, known as PETA, protested outside the Coach store in Miami’s Brickell City Center on Black Friday to draw attention to the luxury retailer’s sale of “animal- and planet-killing leather.”

Tapestry Inc., which owns the Coach brand, did not respond to WLRN’s request for comment. However, on its website, the company states that its goal is to use “recycled raw materials” or “next-generation materials” for its leather products.

READ MORE: Wall Street Journal: Mysterious Solaris condo buyer may be connected to billionaire Ken Griffin

This is a short news report. Visit WLRN News for in-depth coverage of South Florida and Florida news.