Limerick stores supporting apartheid Israel are flash-mobbed

limerick | public consultation / irish social forum | news report

Sunday January 11, 2009 20:43

by Sean Clinton - Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign

On Sunday afternoon human rights activists in Limerick flash-mobbed two stores guilty of profiteering from trade with the illegitimate, delinquent Israeli state. Shoppers in Atlantic Homecare and later in Dunnes Stores stood open mouthed as a rousing chorus "Boycott Apartheid Israel" suddenly rang out across the store.

Human Rights Activists in Atlantic Homecare

In Atlantic Homecare on Childers Road Limerick the human rights activists quietly made their way to the section containing a large stock of produce from apartheid Israel and began chanting at the top of their voices: Atlantic Homecare Stop Supporting Apartheid Israel.

As the protestors unveiled their placards in the isles stacked with produce from apartheid Israel - Keter Garden sheds, Keter shelving units and Keter storage containers - store management scurried to the scene of the disturbance. Request by management for the protestors to leave the store quietly were met with even louder shouts, much to the embarrassment of the management. Apart from some initial pushing and an attempt to prevent this activist taking photographs the demonstration of solidarity with the people of Gaza proceeded in a good humoured fashion.

After holding their ground for a few minutes, all the while chanting loudly, the human rights activists slowly and noisily made their way around the store, past the stacks of Stanley Tool Boxes made in apartheid Israel to the exit. As they made their way to the exit they handed out fliers to the staff asking them to take a stand for human rights by refusing to handle goods from apartheid Israel.

Once outside the human rights activists stood at the entrance to Atlantic Homecare and continued to shout at the top of their voices to the bemusement of a carpark full with Sunday afternoon shoppers.

The activists then walked in procession through the carpark to the exit where they displayed their placards and continued calling on Atlantic Homecare to boycott apartheid Israel.

Following this it was decided to pay a visit to the nearby Dunnes Store outlet. The activists gathered in the fruit and veg section where they picked up examples of Israeli produce - Jaffa Oranges, Avocados, Grapefruit and Herbs and holding them aloft began chanting loudly, calling on Dunnes Stores to Boycott Apartheid Israel. A large crowd of shoppers gathered around as managers rushed to investigate. Pleas from the management for the activists to stop shouting were ignored. After alerting everyone in the large store packed with shoppers the activists slowly and peacefully made their way to the exit.

Management arrives