Adidas’ support of massacre exposed

Sacramento…A 13 foot tall industrial box truck with four large video screens, known as the Tiger Truck, will roll into Sacramento tomorrow evening. The screens show images of kangaroos being shot and baby joeys being stomped, to expose the cruelty Adidas supports by making soccer cleats of kangaroo skin. California-based Viva! launched an international campaign against Adidas last year.

WHEN: Thursday, August 14, 8:30pm
WHERE: Truck will start from the West Steps of the State Capitol and go through downtown

WHY: To reveal to the public Adidas’ use of kangaroo skins for their soccer cleats

"We are taking to the streets what Adidas does not want anyone to see," said lauren Ornelas, US Campaigns Director for Viva!USA. "Hunters in Australia are shooting kangaroos and bludgeoning their babies to sell their skins to companies like Adidas."

Earlier this year Senator Dennis Hollingsworth introduced Senate Bill 233 to amend a penal code in California that currently prohibits the selling of kangaroo, crocodile, and alligator skins.

"We want people to know exactly who is supporting this cruel bill," said Steve Hindi of SHARK (Showing Animals Respect and Kindness), owner of the Tiger Truck. SHARK is based outside of Chicago, Illinois. See www.sharkonline.org.

In May of this year, Viva!USA sued Adidas and Offside Soccer, as well as some other sports stores, for violating California Penal Code § 653o, which states that the body parts or products of kangaroos cannot be imported into or sold in the state.

The Tiger Truck started its tour in San Diego and has been through Los Angeles, Seattle and Portland (the Adidas USA Headquarters) and will eventually end in San Francisco.

Last year Viva!, an international organization with USA Headquarters in Davis, CA, launched a global campaign against Adidas’ use of kangaroo skins. For further information on this campaign and to view pictures of kangaroo hunting, see www.savethekangaroo.com. A copy of the lawsuit and video footage of kangaroo slaughter are also available on the website.

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