The Great Debate: Supporters, Opponents of NYC’s Proposed Fur Ban Clash at City Hall

With a crowd of 300-plus in the City Council’s Chamber and 100 antifur protesters outside on the steps of City Hall, Wednesday’s public hearing was the first chance for both sides to face off about the proposed bill to ban the sale of new fur and shearling in New York City. Should New York City go forward, it would become the largest city in the U.S. to ban the sale of new fur apparel and accessories. The term fur applies to any animal skin, in whole or in part, with the hair, fleece or fur fibers attached, according to the proposed legislation. The bill was put forward by Council Speaker Corey Johnson, along with City Council members Mark Levine, Fernando Cabrera, Justin Brannan, Helen Rosenthal and Robert Holden. Before City Council members listened to and spiritedly challenged the many views, the pre-event rally was relatively orderly. While many were left waiting outside the security gate before the debate got under way, indoors some bill opponents made their opinions known by wearing T-shirts with messages such  as “Police Our Streets, Not Our Closets” and “My Closet. My Choice.” To help keep the peace, about eight security officials were stationed in the room. A New

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