Billericay Man In Nude Protest Over Royal Guards’ Bearskin Caps

For Immediate Release:
8 June 2009
 
Contact:
Sam Glover 020 7357 9229, ext 229; [email protected]
 
Billericay, Essex – Totally nude and holding a sign reading, “1 Cap = 1 Bear. MoD, Go Fur-Free”, 18-year-old Billericay native and media student Ben Cook sat on a flight of stairs near St. Paul’s Cathedral yesterday to protest against the use of bearskins to make The Queen’s Guards’ ceremonial caps. Cook, who is studying Media at Chelmsford College and makes short films in his spare time, protested alongside 100 “bloodied” supporters of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Europe who were wearing nothing but bear masks. The demonstration took place just six days before The Queen’s Birthday Parade. PETA is calling on Her Majesty and the Minister of Defence to give bears the best present of all: their lives.
 
Why is Ben happy to bare all for bears? Many of the bears killed for The Queen’s Guards’ caps suffer greatly and are shot several times before they die. Some escape before eventually bleeding to death. When mother bears are killed, orphaned cubs are left behind to starve. The Ministry of Defence have pledged to switch to faux fur but have yet to choose one of the many luxurious synthetics available to them, despite Britons’ overwhelming opposition to fur.
 
“I’ll gladly bare my skin if it will help save bears’ skins”, says Cook. “As The Queen celebrates her birthday in royal style, many black bears won’t live to see another birthday.”
 
Ben will be available for interviews to discuss her involvement in this protest. Please contact Sam Glover to arrange an interview.
 
Photos of Ben taking part in the demonstration are attached. For more information, please visit PETA.org.uk.