In a historic vote on Tuesday city council members in West Hollywood passed a law which bans the sale of fur-based clothing apparel within city limits.

In the previous two meetings regarding the issue (May 16 and Sept. 19) city council members voted unanimously for the bill to pass however when it came up for a final vote the bill passed with just three of five votes. The ban would have passed in September but several details were missing from the ordinance which forced a “second first reading.”

Two council members changed their vote after the West Hollywood-based Fur Information Council of America (FICA)  released an economic impact study that showed 46 percent of clothing businesses in the city sold fur based products.

Councilman John Heilman said his vote was changed for fear of alienating local business owners while inviting costly lawsuits while he added:

“If the goal is to end animal cruelty, we need to get the businesses and the community on board.”

The bill only currently affects clothing apparel sales which leaves furniture made with fur open for sale.

Abstaining from a vote was Councilwamn Abbe Land who said while she was against the sale of fur she did not believe that the ordinance currently being offered was the right approach since business owners were not on board.

What do you think of the city council’s decision to ban fur sales in the area?

[Image via ShutterStock.com]

West Hollywood City Council Bans Fur is a post from: The Inquisitr

Los Angeles police have arrested people at a Proposition 8 protest in Hollywood Wednesday evening.

Protests against the slim passing of Proposition 8, a proposal that outlaws GLBT marriages and invalidates existing marriages were held in 8 locations in California, including Hollywood and San Francisco.

Over 1000 people attended the Proposition 8 protest in Hollywood, but a small group broke away from the main protest, resulting in a “tactical alert” from LA police, that resulted in 4 arrests.

GLBT groups are still refusing to admit defeat on the proposition, claiming that some 4 million votes are yet to be counted. With 99% of districts reporting, the Yes vote remains ahead with 52% of the vote.

Arrests at Proposition 8 protest is a post from: The Inquisitr