Model Alliance Holds Protest Outside Victoria’s Secret Flagship in New York

NEW YORK — About 20 members and supporters of the Model Alliance protested near the entrance of the Victoria’s Secret Herald Square store Friday afternoon.
Holding heart-stamped signs that read “WE HEAR YOUR SILENCE” and “CALL ME 1-800-RESPECT,” the demonstrators circled the sidewalk, chanting “Victoria’s Silence” and “What do we want? Respect. When do we want it? Now.”
The 90-minute event was organized to raise awareness regarding complaints of sexual harassment and abuse by Victoria’s Secret employees and agents against fashion models who have worked with the brand, and to urge the company to address these serious allegations by joining the Model Alliance’s Respect Program. Earlier this month the Model Alliance sent an open letter cosigned by more than 100 models, including Amber Valletta, Christy Turlington Burns, Edie Campbell, Karen Elson and Iskra Lawrence as well as Time’s Up, calling on Victoria’s Secret chief executive officer John Mehas to join its Respect Program. The program calls for participants to adhere to a code of conduct to safeguard models.
Among the protesters was Nathalia Novaes, a model, who joined the Model Alliance’s leadership council this year. In her 10 years of modeling she has not worked for Victoria’s Secret, but she wanted to stand

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