Those indomitable PETAns had a brainstorm to encourage wintertime faux fur use. Dawn Carr, PETA’s director of special projects, says the group asked the National Park Service in mid-November for permission to hang a 70-foot-long pleather belt, worn low in the style of the Olsen twins, around the waist of the Statue of Liberty. But by December, the Feds had nixed the request, responding in a letter that “while adding a ‘pleather belt’ might seem like a great idea to some,” the statue’s fans “expect to see this icon as it was originally created. Our policies do not permit an alteration of this kind, even on a temporary basis. [We] realize that this cause is very important to you and your organization and believe with your creative talents and imagination you will find other avenues to pursue.” “We knew it was a long shot, but we're dreamers,” says Carr. “You never know how the spirit might take people during the holiday season.”

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Related:

• Archive: “Intelligencer”
• Articles by Janelle Nanos
• Table of Contents: January 9, 2006 issue of New York | Subscribe!