China can take sexy protests, PETA says

By Gillian Murdoch

BEIJING (Reuters Life!) - Even in China, a country where provocative campaigns are the exception to the rule, animal rights activists PETA says there's scope for edgy, sexy stunts.

Pictures of naked activists crouching in cages to protest animal rights issues are almost passe in the West, but Chinese authorities prevented Olympian swimmer and PETA supporter Amanda Beard from holding an anti-fur news conference two days before the Games began.

But security guards did allow Beard to unveil to media gathered outside the athletes' village a demure nude photograph of herself, urging women "Don't wear fur".

Jason Baker, Asia-Pacific director for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, talked to Reuters about the subtleties of demonstrating in China.

Q: What did you expect from Beard's protest?

A: Demonstrations don't work as well in China as they do in Western countries.... (but) since Amanda is an Olympian, the media was interested in her actions and her anti-fur message. The government may have tried to stop our ad launch but the local media didn't find it to be something they needed to censor.

Q: What's PETA's policy on unauthorised protests?

A: It's easier and more effective to do things that don't require authorization. We don't really need a permit to dress in lettuce outfits and hand out information explaining why a vegetarian diet is healthy, humane, and better for the environment.