PRESS RELEASE: More #BoycottWoolworths “till-jams” and in-store protests over the weekendBDS South Africa has been informed of various Woolworths in-store protest actions that took place over the weekend. From reports, there were allegedly at least two in-store “till-jams”, one in-store walk-through/flash-mob and various protests at Woolworths stores across the country. Till-jams were allegedly carried out, in support of the #BoycottWoolworths campaign at the Greenside, Killarney Mall, Main Street, Cresta branches of Woolworths in Johannesburg. A #BoycottWoolworths walk-through/flash-mob was carried out at the Pavilion branch of Woolworths in Durban. And #BoycottWoolworths protests were held at stores in Cape Town including in Athlone, Kromboom and Mitchell's Plain.
According to reports received, the #BoycottWoolworths all actions were carried out in support of the growing #BoycottWoolworths campaign. Some activists allegedly wore ANC and SA Communist Party (SACP) T-shirts at these protest actions while others it would seem belonged to various Palestine solidarity organisations. BDS South Africa was not part of this weekend's #BoycottWoolworths "till-jams” and other in-store protest actions. BDS South Africa, as an organisation, has agreed in good faith to tone down on various in-store protest actions as part of a recent court order that obligates Woolworths to meet with BDS South Africa on or before the 10 December 2014. The court order, however, does not extend to other organisations and/or entities which are not a part of BDS South Africa.
The #BoycottWoolworths campaign was launched in August 2014 by the National Colaition 4 Palestine (NC4P), BDS South Africa, COSATU, ANC Youth League, MJC and various other organisations. The #BoycottWoolworths campaign is calling for the complete boycott of Woolworths until it ends its Israeli trade links. The campaign has received wide spread attention and support from various South African Government Ministers, artists, well known personalities and anti-apartheid stalwarts.
The National Coalition 4 Palestine (NC4P) intends on intensifying and escalating the #BoycottWoolworths campaign as we enter the festive season. Reports indicate that other organisations belonging to the National Coalition 4 Palestine (NC4P) will also be increasing their #BoycottWoolworths protest actions in the upcoming Christmas period.
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“Till jams” are a tactic inspired by the 1980s anti-apartheid movement. For example, in an anti-apartheid Irish campaign from the 1980s against the Irish retailer Dunnes Stores (which is similar to the #BoycottWoolworths campaign) activists and consumers would fill their trolleys and leave them at the check-out stands/tills of Dunnes Stores. Likewise today the boycott of Woolworths stores in South Africa seems to include these anti-apartheid inspired "till-jams".
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ISSUED BY MUHAMMED ON BEHALF OF BDS SOUTH AFRICA
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