Racist sign in Crowborough shop window causes Twitter storm
Published: 18:15, 14 August 2013
A photograph of a racist sign which is reported to come from a shop in Crowborough has sparked outrage on Twitter.
The hand drawn cartoon is said to have been on display in the window of Benefactors Hardware, on the Broadway - just on Kent's borders.
It depicts a crude drawing of a black man holding two items of luggage and is stuck to the front window accompanied by writing which reads: "zippadydoohdah zip-up immigrant bags.”
The initial tweet comes from @mrnickharvey, a music composer who has worked on more than 100 television shows including Ross Kemp: Extreme World and My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding.
His initial tweet, which has the picture attached, says: "There's a hardware store in Crowborough, E Sussex called Benefactors. Please don't shop there."
A following tweet says: "Since moving to Crowborough a year ago, a couple of people have told me of its racist underbelly, but nothing could prepare me for that."
Since being uploaded at approximately 5pm the post has been re-tweeted 332 times.
Former MP Louise Mensch posted a response on the same website saying: "Am from Wadhurst and Rotherfield. Never encountered any racists. This person/shop not representative. Disgusting."
She also retweeted Mr Harvey's tweet.
The Kent Messenger tried to contact the shop but they were unavailable for comment.
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James Walker