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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/14/hm-stores-in-south-afrtica-trashed-by-protesters-after-racist-ad
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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| H&M stores in South Africa trashed by protesters after 'racist' ad | H&M stores in South Africa trashed by protesters after 'racist' ad |
| (13 days later) | |
| South African police have cleared protesters who were trashing outlets of Swedish clothing giant H&M in Johannesburg over a controversial advertisement of a black child. | South African police have cleared protesters who were trashing outlets of Swedish clothing giant H&M in Johannesburg over a controversial advertisement of a black child. |
| A photo on the company’s online website of a black boy wearing a green hoodie with the inscription “coolest monkey in the jungle” had triggered outrage on social media and among observers worldwide. | A photo on the company’s online website of a black boy wearing a green hoodie with the inscription “coolest monkey in the jungle” had triggered outrage on social media and among observers worldwide. |
| The company has pulled the photograph but the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) – a radical group set up by the expelled head of the youth wing of the ruling African National Congress – organised protests at several H&M outlets in and around Johannesburg. There were also protests outside a store in Cape Town. | The company has pulled the photograph but the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) – a radical group set up by the expelled head of the youth wing of the ruling African National Congress – organised protests at several H&M outlets in and around Johannesburg. There were also protests outside a store in Cape Town. |
| Video footage showed activists trashing displays, kicking over and pulling down clothes rails and pushing over mannequins. | Video footage showed activists trashing displays, kicking over and pulling down clothes rails and pushing over mannequins. |
| “Several incidents of protests at H&M stores around the province have been reported,” South African police said in a tweet. | “Several incidents of protests at H&M stores around the province have been reported,” South African police said in a tweet. |
| “At the East Rand mall the protesters managed to enter the shop & stole several items. SAPS members had to intervene and dispersed the group of protesters by firing rubber bullets.” | “At the East Rand mall the protesters managed to enter the shop & stole several items. SAPS members had to intervene and dispersed the group of protesters by firing rubber bullets.” |
| Floyd Shivambu from EFF said: “That @hm nonsense of a clothing store is now facing consequences for its racism. All rational people should agree that the store should not be allowed to continue operating in South Africa.” | Floyd Shivambu from EFF said: “That @hm nonsense of a clothing store is now facing consequences for its racism. All rational people should agree that the store should not be allowed to continue operating in South Africa.” |
| H&M South Africa did not respond to a request for comment, but its local website carried an apology for the advertisement. “Our position is simple, we have got this wrong and we are deeply sorry,” the apology read. | H&M South Africa did not respond to a request for comment, but its local website carried an apology for the advertisement. “Our position is simple, we have got this wrong and we are deeply sorry,” the apology read. |
| H&M is not the only major company to be hit by an advertisement scandal in recent years. Spanish clothing brand Zara in 2014 removed striped pyjamas with a yellow star after facing outrage over its resemblance to clothes worn by Jewish prisoners in concentration camps. | H&M is not the only major company to be hit by an advertisement scandal in recent years. Spanish clothing brand Zara in 2014 removed striped pyjamas with a yellow star after facing outrage over its resemblance to clothes worn by Jewish prisoners in concentration camps. |
| And in October last year, personal care brand Dove apologised after it was accused of racism for airing a commercial showing a black woman turning into a white woman after removing her top. | And in October last year, personal care brand Dove apologised after it was accused of racism for airing a commercial showing a black woman turning into a white woman after removing her top. |
| Agence France-Presse and Reuters contributed to this report. | Agence France-Presse and Reuters contributed to this report. |
| South Africa | South Africa |
| H&M | H&M |
| Africa | Africa |
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