openPR Logo
Press release

Forever 21 Directly Ripped-off a Queer Nonprofit / Local Gay Artist Stands Outside Forever 21 Protesting the Company’s Exploitation During a Pandemic

08-31-2020 11:02 AM CET | Arts & Culture

Press release from: Classroom of Compassion

Side by Side of the original Classroom of Compassion T-shirt and the Forever 21 copycat

Side by Side of the original Classroom of Compassion T-shirt and the Forever 21 copycat

Los Angeles, CA (August 30, 2020) - Classroom of Compassion is a queer nonprofit in Los Angeles, creating art for and alongside communities in need by sharing eight little words: “I Hope U Know How Loved U Are.“ As of August 15, 2020, Forever 21, the billion-dollar fashion company, started selling a t-shirt with this exact message. It is a direct rip-off of the Classroom of Compassion brand, mission, and trademark.

“This message is at the core of who we are and what we do. Every space we build and lesson we design is intended to remind each community they are loved,” says David Maldonado.

The first time Dave and his partner Noah showcased that message was at Los Angeles Pride in 2018. It was a very personal message of love and support to their queer family in honor of the two-year anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub terror attack. For the past two years, Dave and Noah have been amplifying these eight words to communities healing from trauma across America. From building memorials for the Trans community, to holding mantra-writing and compassion workshops with families of gun violence, to hosting healing floral-arranging classes empowering LGBTQIA youth at the LA LGBT Center. These eight words are on their flags, t-shirts, signs, installations, and memorials. “I hope u know how loved u are” is at the root of everything they say and do. Every act of service.

Forever 21 has stolen not only their words but their ability to connect and heal communities.

“Without the funding from these shirts, I don’t know how we’ll be able to continue our projects,” says Noah Reich.

This shirt is not just a message. It is an act of loving-kindness. Every single shirt is made by Dave. He makes every shirt by hand, from the screen-printing, cutting, labeling, tagging, packaging and shipping. Every shirt he sends with love. These t-shirts have been the primary source of fundraising for every project. Every gun violence memorial, public art installations, and compassionate workshops was funded by these very t-shirts. They’d invested every dollar they have into communities to spread this message.

Please donate to their GoFundMe to help raise funds for future programming, or purchase the original “I Hope U Know How Loved U Are” shirt from their online store.

Classroom of Compassion
17914 Magnolia Blvd.
Encino, CA 91316.

Press Contact:
Jasmin Guzman
(818) 517-4690
jasmin@classroomofcompassion.com

Classroom of Compassion is a Los Angeles based floral and arts organization dedicated to teaching and sharing the restorative and artistic practice of compassion and self compassion. Our werk is dedicated to inspiring and imagining a future that supports the mental wellness of ALL communities. We are artistic caretakers, creating safe, soothing, and imaginative spaces that connect and uplift communities facing challenges and instability. Our mission is to remind each and every person that they are loved and worthy of compassion and care.

This release was published on openPR.

Permanent link to this press release:

Copy
Please set a link in the press area of your homepage to this press release on openPR. openPR disclaims liability for any content contained in this release.

You can edit or delete your press release Forever 21 Directly Ripped-off a Queer Nonprofit / Local Gay Artist Stands Outside Forever 21 Protesting the Company’s Exploitation During a Pandemic here

News-ID: 2124359 • Views:

More Releases for Angeles

DR. SUSAN LOVE RESEARCH FOUNDATION JOINS LOS ANGELES MAGAZINE’S GIVE LOS ANGEL …
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DR. SUSAN LOVE RESEARCH FOUNDATION JOINS LOS ANGELES MAGAZINE’S GIVE LOS ANGELES CHALLENGE. Help Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation win up to $30,000 in cash prizes by donating to its GIVE Los Angeles campaign Los Angeles, CA. November 14, 2018 — Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation has joined Los Angeles magazine’s GIVE Los Angeles Challenge, an online fundraising competition for charitable organizations and their supporters. This challenge benefits charities making
Los Angeles Airport progresses biometric boarding trial
Vision-Box biometric self-boarding solution is now being used by Lufthansa passengers After the successful go live of the new contactless biometric self-boarding solution at Los Angeles Airport end of last year, Lufthansa has joined the trial, boarding passengers flying out of the country using their face to be recognized at the gate. The tests have been running in partnership between Vision-Box, Los Angeles World Airports Authority (LAWA) and the U.S. Customs and
Structural Focus Named One of the Best Places to Work in Los Angeles by Los Ange …
Los Angeles-area, CA, July 6, 2016 -- Structural Focus was recently named as one of the Best Places to Work in Los Angeles. This tenth annual program was created by the Los Angeles Business Journal (LABJ) and Best Companies Group. This survey and awards program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best employers in Los Angeles, benefiting the county's economy, workforce and businesses. The list is made up
Mobile Application Development in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California, May 12, 2011 — Mobile and web application development company, Principal Human, is officially openings its doors June 1st, 2011. Specializing in Apple iPad2, iPad and iPhone as well as Google’s full Android market (tablets as well as phones), Principal Human brings expert development to southern California. “We want to bring expert mobile and web development within the sunny state of California,” states Jeff Algera,
CHEAP FLIGHTS TO LOS ANGELES
A world-class city with offerings of vast and varied kind, Los Angeles is attractive beyond compare. Exuding a charm like none other, the city’s infectious energy rubs on you the moment you set foot here. modern architectural marvels, awe-inspiring natural beauty, a vibrant ambience, striking vistas and unseen panoramas, the city plays home to all this and more. Catching every enthusiastic tourist’s fancy, this interesting city has loads to offer
EMG Opens Office in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, CA – Earthbound Media Group (EMG) will expand northward to Los Angeles (LA) county in a matter of days, marking the official opening of its newest office, located in Culver City, California. Seeing significant opportunity even within the current recession, EMG Managing Partners Blaine Behringer and Damien Navarro pegged LA as the perfect spot for its next office as EMG extends its brand and expands its efforts to