Protesters trash H&M store in South Africa over 'coolest monkey' product image
The backlash over a ‘racist’ product image featured on the H&M website has continued for the retailer as protesters stormed - and trashed - an outlet in South Africa this weekend.
H&M has apologised for the 'racist' product image
Hitting headlines earlier this week, the image of a black child model in a hoodie featuring the quote “coolest monkey in the jungle” saw the likes of The Weeknd and G-Eazy cut ties with the brand.
According to local media reports, an opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), called for shopping centres to evict the Swedish retailer.
The majority of the protests were peaceful, but footage from the Sandton City store in Johannesburg shows protesters kicking and knocking down in-store displays and clothing racks.
Floyd Shivambu, EFF deputy president, tweeted in response to the protests congratulating those involved claiming they had “physically confronted racism”.
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. Well done to Fighters who physically confronted racism. pic.twitter.com/cgdedYGoOj
— Floyd Shivambu (@FloydShivambu) January 13, 2018
H&M has apologised for the image, admitting it “got this wrong” and was “deeply sorry”. The mother of the child model, Terry Mango, has spoken out in defence of the retailer telling those offended to “stop crying wolf all the time” and “get over it”.