South African protesters trash H&M stores at the clothing retailer’s advert over a hoodie with the words, “coolest monkey in the jungle”.
The image, featured in the Swedish retailer’s UK site, caused international uproar.
Protesters wants H&M to know that casual racism, even by accident, has real consequences.
Caught on video at the Menlyn Park store, one of red shirted activists is seen trashing displays, pulling down clothes rails and pushing over mannequins.
The global retailer, which has 4,500 stores in 62 countries, opened its first store in Africa two years ago and immediately found itself at the centre of a public backlash when it failed to feature any black models in its advertising.
#EFF protesters have shut down #H&M in Canal Walk Cape Town because they are furious over the company’s #coolestmonkeyinthejungle t-shirt modelled on a black child. (@itchybyte) pic.twitter.com/6OJOyQpJsF
— Team News24 (@TeamNews24) January 13, 2018
RETWEET to make your voice heard and say NO to violence and NO to racism. Lawlessness seen here cannot be allowed. Stand up against racism peacefully and protest within the framework of the law. @MbalulaFikile @Abramjee @MmusiMaimane H&M pic.twitter.com/VvdjPjs0AU
— #MakeSASafe (@MakeSAsafe) January 13, 2018
Police at a distance at #EFF protest at Canal Walk over #coolestmonkeyinthejungle #H&M t-shirt. (@itchybyte) pic.twitter.com/d53yghnU1J
— Team News24 (@TeamNews24) January 13, 2018
[IMPORTANT NOTICE]: All the stores of that racist retailer @hmsouthafrica are CLOSED. Racism must fall and we will never tip toe around racists. pic.twitter.com/eqmw885k6X
— Floyd Shivambu (@FloydShivambu) January 13, 2018
Here is what the H&M shop in menlyn mall looks like. EFF member in Tshwane have given the shop 24 hours to close its doors permanently, they say failure to do so, will mean protests will continue outside of the store indefinitely. (@AlexMitchley) pic.twitter.com/a4gaxWED18
— Team News24 (@TeamNews24) January 13, 2018