The protest of VS pornography displays

By: American Decency Staff

It has been more difficult getting people to speak out and boycott Victoria's Secret than what it was for us to generate action against Abercrombie & Fitch. [They discontinued the production and sale of their pornographic catalog in December 2003.] We know A&F targeted youth and used pornographic catalogs and window and wall displays to lure YOUTH to purchase their products. With Victoria's Secret, they often seem to get a free pass because they sell lingerie. Some people say "It's a lingerie store. How do you expect them to market their merchandise?" I expect them to advertise their lingerie modestly. VS rents highly visable spots at the local mall and proceeds to trash time-honored standards of modesty with "in your face" nearly totally nude window displays and mannequins. These kinds of images are what have been featured on the front of "adult" book stores. And then they foist highly erotic models before the lusting, luring eyes of millions on their annual Victoria's Secret "Fashion Show" during the first days of December. Victoria's Secret and mall outlets would like us all to get discouraged and give up and give in. Thankfully there are still those who haven't. We include ourselves in that number. Is a picket of Rivertown Crossings Mall a possibility in the days ahead? If you live in the greater Grand Rapids area, let us know if you will stand up with us. Letter #1: A woman and a group of others from the Carmel, Indiana have been expressing concern regarding their local mall Clay Terrace Mall. If you would like to join with others and you live in the Carmel, Indiana area email us at info@americandecency.org and we'll provide your email address to our contact in Carmel. To express concern to Simon Properties (owner of the Clay Terrace Mall) and largest owner of mall rental properties in America. https://www.simon.com/about_simon/contact_spg/default.aspx Letter #2: REQUESTING BUMPER STICKERS I would like 6 bumper stickers, please, 3 of each. I just want you to know that I have been emailing VS for over 2 years, about their advertising, and shows. I have also been contacting Walmart for almost 2 years about their calenders, SI, and Maxim. [EDITOR'S NOTE: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION SEE: http://www.onenewsnow.com/2007/11/calendars_in_walmart_create_so.php] I won't give up, and neither should you. These are only a few that i have emailed. C.C. Annapolis, Mo. Letter #3: A NEGATIVE RESPONSE TO OUR ACTIONS You people have GOT to give it a rest! Like one person said in an email you quoted on your site: where do you get off telling people what they can and can't see or where they can and can't shop? As I said in a previous email to you (and I'm sure I'm not the only one that feels this way): I can look at these displays and not become a raving sex maniac or a rapist. Why not just ignore it and get on with your life like a normal human being, not one that suffers from cranial/rectal inversion (bet you can't figure THAT one out). If you want hint, one of the posters on your site said something similar, but in a cruder way. J.S. Letter #4: PASSING THE WORD AROUND TO OTHERS – ANOTHER IMPORTANT WAY TO RALLY OTHERS TO LET THEM KNOW THEY ARE NOT ALONE Dear Mr. Johnson, I'm forwarding a letter sent to a man who has interfaith contacts in our community and also attaching the letters that have been sent to Victoria's Secret Corp., stores at the mall, and the mall manager. I've sent all of these to our parish priest who is a graduate of Harvard. I've asked if he could contact the people he knows in the media to get some publicity. I've also asked him if he knows anyone in our parish who could speak with Mel Simon directly. I believe, as you stated, that it could be economically beneficial for him to make his mall window's "G" rated. Thanks for all your letters and advice. Please let us know if there's anything else we should do. God bless, L.B. Letter #5: A VERY VALID POINT – INCREASINGLY There is nothing "secret" about Victoria's Secret. But at the same time it shows where the minds of WOMEN are. I'm tired of men being blamed for the vulgarity of women. The norm is that women will do just about anything for money, as the porno, and entertainment industry proves. Re: What about your mutual funds? You may want to consider transferring to THE TIMOTHY PLAN -morally screened mutual funds that have zero tolerance for investments in Victoria's Secret or any other company linked to pornography or anti-family entertainment. You can contact www.timothyplan.com or call them at 1-800-846-7526. What about your mutual funds? ***GROWTH FUND OF AMERICA INC ***INVESTMENT COMPANY OF AMERICA ***WASHINGTON MUTUAL INVESTORS FUND ***OAKMARK SELECT FUND ***OAKMARK FUND ***HARTFORD CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND ***FUNDAMENTAL INVESTORS INC ***VANGUARD 500 INDEX FUND ***RS INVESTMENT TRUST-VALUE FUND ***JP MORGAN MID CAP VALUE FUND VICTORIA'S SECRET IS AN ATTACK UPON THE SOUL OF AMERICA. Take Action: (1) Don't spend a single dollar with Victoria's Secret or its subsidiaries (2) Urge others to do the same. Contact us for a Victoria's Secret bumper sticker and display it in a prominent place – like your bumper. "Victoria's Dirty Secret: PORNOGRAPHY" "Victoria: Keep Your Secrets Covered" Call or email us at: 1-888-733-2326 or email: kimberly@americandecency.org (3) CONTACT VICTORIA'S SECRET and speak out locally where concerns exist — Victoria's Secret Grace A. Nichols 4 Limited Pkwy. East Reynoldsburg, OH 43068 Phone: 614-577-7000 Fax: 614-577-7047 email: http://www2.victoriassecret.com/html/custsrvc/contact/comments/ Email service@victoriassecret.com The Limited (owns Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, White Barn Candle Company) Leslie Wexner, CEO Three Limited Parkway Columbus, OH 43230 800-756-4449 American Decency Association Bill Johnson, President P.O. Box 202 Fremont, MI 49412 ph: 231-924-4050 https://americandecency.org Match Grant. We received this gracious offer from an anonymous donor. "… I would like to again offer a $15,000 matching grant to anyone who hasn't given since 12/31/05 or to anyone who gives more than what they gave in 2006 (e.g. if they gave $1,000 in '06 and gave $1500 in '07, we will match the $500 increase as long as it was given between 9/10/07-12/31/07). We will match these gifts received from 9/10/07 through 12/31/07." Help us meet this challenge. Thanks so much – https://secure4.afo.net/ada/main.php?f=donate/display9

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