Protesters Go Too Far, Get Arrested

Two animal-rights activists were arrested Friday after they climbed into a display window of the downtown Nordstrom store to protest the fur trade.

About two dozen demonstrators crowded holiday shoppers on the sidewalk at Westlake Park and chanted, “Hey Nordstrom, what d’ya say? How many animals did’ya kill today?” and, “The fur on your back is blood on your hands.”

Two women carrying a piece of fur climbed into a display window and handcuffed themselves to a mannequin. There was no fur in the display.

When the demonstrators refused to leave the display window, police removed the handcuffs, which were toys, and took the women away in real cuffs, police spokesman Sean O’Donnell said.

They were booked for investigation of trespassing and property damage.

The demonstration was organized by a group called Students for Animal Liberation. Demonstrators said Nordstrom had gone back on a promise not to sell fur.

In a statement, Nordstrom said it has started selling some fur-trimmed clothes in response to their growing popularity with customers.