For Immediate Release: August 7, 2003

For more information contact:
lauren Ornelas 530/759-8482
cell 530/848-4021

Images of Kangaroo Slaughter to Roll Into Seattle
Adidas' support of massacre exposed
Seattle…A 13 foot tall industrial box truck with four large video screens, known as the Tiger Truck, will roll into Seattle Friday night. 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. Viva! launched an international campaign against Adidas last year.

When: Friday, August 8, 9:15pm
Where: Adidas Retail Outlet, 1501 Fifth Avenue
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."

In May of this year, Viva!USA sued Adidas, 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.

"We want people to know exactly who is responsible for this cruelty," 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.

The Tiger Truck started its tour in San Diego, then to Los Angeles, and will eventually make its way to Portland (the Adidas USA Headquarters), Sacramento, and 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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