Raleigh, N.C., Abercrombie & Fitch Store Subject of Protest

Saturday August 2^nd was, to many area shoppers, the second day of a "tax-free" shopping weekend, intended to help ease the burden of rising costs. But it was also an opportunity for a local group of protestors to peacefully speak their minds about an ad at the Triangle Town Center Abercrombie and Fitch store.

The ad in question shows a shirtless male model from the neck to his thighs. In the ad, the model has his pants and underwear, if he's even wearing any, pulled down to a little above mid-thigh. It's clear he has either shaved or the photo has been airbrushed.

The main issue the protestors had was not the ad itself, but the placement of the ad. It was a 10' x 10' poster in the front window of the store. Any shopper walking by was sure to see it. So could their kids. THAT was the issue.

Jimmy Stopper, 32, father of four and head of the protest, felt that the ad clearly crossed the line for tasteful advertising. He created a website, www.movethesign.com, for like-minded individuals to sign a petition to have the ad removed from the window.

Jimmy also spoke with individuals at the local Abercrombie store as well as individuals higher up the chain of command, each one denying his request and stating that they were marketing the "sexy" side of their clothing.

Mall officials also denied his request, but were quick to admit that if he were to walk into the mall with his pants pulled down that low, he'd be arrested on the spot. How ironic. I suppose, then, Jimmy (or anyone else for that matter) could, instead, take a photo of him half naked and hang that in the mall with no problem. Or is that wrong, too? Is it only allowed for stores that add to the bottom line?

In case that ad isn't enough, Abercrombie also has a photo gallery of their sexy models on their website. Because, of course, displaying photos of half naked models sells clothes.

And just in case that isn't enough, there is also an Abercrombie Kids website (also with a photo gallery). Want to take a guess at what the first picture is that pops up? Sadly, it's a shirtless kid. Again, selling clothes. Where do you draw the line, Abercrombie?

People get in trouble these days for taking naked pictures of their own babies. It has become taboo and borders on the edge of pornography, yet Abercrombie finds it appropriate to take suggestive pictures of kids, just to see a profit.

When I polled a group of my mommy friends, Theresa Traynham had this to say, "It's my job to teach [my kids] that real people in the real world don't wear their clothes like that because it isn't appropriate. That is
"I do believe that it is ridiculous the way these companies try to market "sexy" to young kids and the images that are thrown in their faces all the time. I wish we could do something about it but we can't. Sex sells, always has always will. It would be nice if these companies would use some sort of moral compass when it comes to children/young adults but unfortunately that is not how they think - they only see dollar bills."

Abercrombie has been in the spotlight since they began, due to their sexually explicit advertising. Perhaps some would say they hit the nail on the head. After all, Abercrombie is a top-selling clothing company. Others, like the protestors, say how low can you go just to make a dollar? About mid-thigh, according to Abercrombie.

Succeed or not, Jimmy is trying to do something about it.