Petrelis Files

Vid: Palestinian Carolers
Assaulted at Cliff's on Xmas Eve



Longtime videographer for many progressive causes and political protests, Peter Menchini, shared this video taken on Christmas Eve at Cliff's Variety Store on Castro Street.

You may recall that nudists and I staged a protest at the store in October over the owner Terry Bennett's heavy-handed refusal, as president of MUMC, to allow for community control of the rainbow flag on public property at Harvey Milk Plaza. We called for a boycott of Cliff's and generated a great story on the Bay News Service wire.

Now, queer supporters of the Palestinians have issues with the variety store carrying products made in Israel. To show their displeasure, a musical protest took place at the store on December 24 and in response to the physical assaults from employees at Cliff's, the protesters are calling for charges to be filed.

So far, no charges have been filed and no arrest warrants issued.

Here is the description of what happened at the store from Peter at his YouTube channel:

On 24 December 2012, Holiday Carolers -- including elderly women -- went into Cliff's Variety Store and began a peaceful protest. Employees -- including managers -- immediately began assaulting the carolers! They grabbed, shoved, pushed and dragged people out of the store. An employee twice grabbed my cell phone from my hand, cutting my hand in the process. Boycott Cliff's!