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Photos from rally at REI in NYC, September 20, 2022

Additional high-resolution images and video b-roll is available to press upon request. Please contact communications director Stephanie Stohler at [email protected]

These photos were taken on September 20, 2022 in front of the REI store in Manhattan, New York City. This action is part of a nationwide week of action (press release) from September 19-23, 2022, spanning 12 cities in 11 states where activists delivered petitions totaling more than 130,000 signatures demanding that outdoor retailer, REI, set a clear timeline to eliminate toxic PFAS “forever chemicals.”  This year-long national campaign is led by Toxic-Free Future’s Mind the Store program, Safer States, and partners.

For all photos: Photo credit Luke Ohlson, 7Cinema

REI Rally NYC 1

Advocates and elected officials rally outside of REI in NYC
Mike Schade, Director of Toxic-Free Future’s Mind the Store program, speaking outside of REI’s flagship store in NYC. Mike is dressed in a raincoat and hiking boots, symbolizing the types of products sold at REI containing PFAS.
REI Rally NYC 1

REI Rally NYC 2

Advocates and elected officials prepare to deliver 130,000 petitions to REI store manager at its flagship store in NYC
Pictured left to right: State Senator Brad Hoylman, State Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, Mike Schade (Director, Mind the Store, Toxic-Free Future), Paul Webster (Director of Programs, Clean+Healthy)

Photo credit Luke Ohlson, 7Cinema

REI Rally NYC 2 - Photo credit Luke Ohlson, 7Cinema

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Advocates urge Governor Hochul to sign legislation banning PFAS
Paul Webster from Clean+Healthy calls on NY Governor Hochul to sign legislation to ban PFAS in apparel

Photo credit Luke Ohlson, 7Cinema

REI Rally NYC 3 - Photo credit Luke Ohlson, 7Cinema

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National week of action outside of REI’s flagship store in NYC
Elected officials and members of Toxic-Free Future, Clean+Healthy, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, the JustGreen Partnership, Earthjustice, ParentsTogether, and Defend Our Health

Photo credit Luke Ohlson, 7Cinema

REI Rally NYC 4 - Photo credit Luke Ohlson, 7Cinema

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Photo credit Luke Ohlson, 7Cinema

REI Rally NYC 5 - Photo credit Luke Ohlson, 7Cinema

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State elected officials join REI PFAS week of action in NYC, and call on NY Governor Hochul to ban PFAS in textiles
Pictured left to right: State Assemblymember Emily Gallagher (D-NY) and State Senator Brad Hoylman (D-NY)

Photo credit Luke Ohlson, 7Cinema

REI Rally NYC 6 - Photo credit Luke Ohlson, 7Cinema

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Photo credit Luke Ohlson, 7Cinema

REI Rally NYC 7 - Photo credit Luke Ohlson, 7Cinema

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130,000 REI members and customers demand action on PFAS
Boxes containing petition signatures of 130,000 consumers nationwide urging REI to tell PFAS to take a hike. The logos on the box represent organizations that generated petitions and that participated in the week of action

Photo credit Luke Ohlson, 7Cinema

REI Rally NYC 8 - Photo credit Luke Ohlson, 7Cinema

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Photo credit Luke Ohlson, 7Cinema

REI Rally NYC 8 - Photo credit Luke Ohlson, 7Cinema

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Photo credit Luke Ohlson, 7Cinema

REI Rally NYC 10 - Photo credit Luke Ohlson, 7Cinema