A popular strategy by activist groups of all stripes is to buy small amounts of stock in a company in order to voice displeasure at the company’s annual stock meeting. At its recent annual meeting, however, Neiman Marcus continued its long-standing practice of denying entry to animal rights activists who buy shares of the company for this purpose.
Fund for Animals issued a press release in January complaining that activist and Neiman Marcus shareholder Jennifer Allen was denied entry to that company’s annual meeting. In the press release, Allen said,
Neimna Marcus’s shareholders have a right to know that the company is supporting animal cruelty by selling fur and fur trim. Neiman Marcus can replace the real fur in its stores with the many warm and elegant alternatives available, and continue to produce profits for its shareholders.
Unfortunately, Neiman Marcus has a history of muzzling dissent among its shareholders. In 2002, five members of an animal advocacy group were also denied entry into the annual meeting, despite all being shareholders.
Those activists were with Compassion Over Killing and they were denied access on the grounds that they Neiman Marcus believed they planned “disruptive” actions. The Fund for Animals does not say what reason Allen was given by the company, but it was likely the same fear of disruption.
Back in 2002, Compassion Over Killing said it was looking at legal options to force Neiman Marcus to admit animal rights shareholders, but apparently never pursued the matter.
Source:
Taking stock of cruelty — anti-fur activist blocked from Neiman Marcus shareholder meeting. Press Release, Fund for Animals, January 16, 2004.