WHEREAS, Spencer Gifts LLC, a lifestyle retail company operates two national brands, Spencer's and Spirit Halloween throughout the United States, Canada and online; and
WHEREAS, Spencer Gifts LLC, is located locally at Franklin Mills Mall in Northeast Philadelphia, Cherry Hill Mall and King of Prussia Mall; and
WHEREAS, For several years, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, America's oldest Catholic fraternal organization has asked management of Spencer Gifts LLC to cease and desist selling and profiteering from the offensive and degrading images they adorn on t-shirts that mock St. Patrick's Day and the Irish heritage; and
WHEREAS, during the last weekend in February of 2011, local Philadelphian AOH divisions peacefully protested at the Spencer Gifts Store at the Franklin Mills Mall asking customers to not patronize Spencer Gifts due to the items that debase, mock, embarrass and ridicule the Irish faith and nationality; and
WHEREAS, Spencer Gifts sells a T-shirt for $14.99 that depicts a drunken leprechaun urinating, his middle finger up and he wishes everyone a Happy F*cking St. Patrick's Day; and
WHEREAS, Kevin Mahoney, legal representation for Spencer Gifts LLC has defended this anti-Irish and racist shirts by saying that they are meant to be humorous and not offensive and Spencer Gifts LLC refuse to stop selling the merchandise; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia and the Irish citizens just celebrated the 241st St. Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday March 13, 2011 and Philadelphia is proud of its Irish people and their history with organizations like the AOH, The Emerald Society, The Hibernian Hunger Project and the Jack Costello Boxing Program to name a few; and
WHEREAS, No other ethnic group would allow this kind of offensive remarks and merchandise to be sold from a national company but it seems that the defense of Irish Catholics are lackadaisical and empathetic; and now
THEREFORE, The City Council of Philadelphia asks that Spencer Gifts LLC refrain from selling the offensive t-shirts that mock and stereotype the Irish and degrade the history and religious holiday of St. Patrick's Day.
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