Workers' Center Posts Anti-Forever 21 Billboard
Escalating its boycott campaign against Forever 21, the Garment Worker Center (GWC) in Los Angeles has posted a billboard across from the city’s Beverly Center shopping mall targeting the manufacturer, who’s been accused of unfair labor practices.
“Forever 21 Sweatshop Made” is the message on the 45-foot-wide sign facing traffic headed north on La Cienega Boulevard. Kimi Lee, the GWC’s director, hopes the message will inspire people to think about where they shop.
“We wanted to bring greater public attention to the case,” Lee said. She added that a private donor paid for the $8,500 rental of the sign and GWC workers raised another $1,000 to cover printing costs. A designer donated the graphics.
The center’s stepped-up boycott effort also includes a press conference on Aug. 2 and a protest on Aug. 3 at the northeast corner of La Cienega and Beverly Boulevard. Future protests are planned for the remaining Saturdays in August, Lee said.
Calls to Forever 21 were not returned as of press time, and officials at the Beverly Center said they didn’t comment on “the manufacturing processes of tenants.” —Nola Sarkisian-Miller
