Merchandise removed featured this logoPHOENIX (CBS5) -
A Valley immigration activist is calling it a victory after convincing online retailer CafePress to remove "racist" merchandise.
Designed to look like an actual "permit" to "hunt illegal aliens," immigration rights activist Victor Hoelscher, along with hundreds of others, petitioned CafePress to get the items removed. According to Hoelscher, people could purchase items like decals, bumper stickers and T-shirts displaying the offensive logo.
"I think it's highly irresponsible for a corporation to drive money and funds from spreading hate and possibly advocating violence against a group of people," said Hoelscher.
The push to remove the products came after alleging that cafe press wasn't practicing what it was preaching.
"I'd seen that the product was in violation of their own corporate guidelines, so I immediately started a petition on change.org," said Hoelscher.
More than 200 signatures later, the product was removed after the company claimed it escaped their quality control process.
Although pleased with the quick response from CafePress, Hoelscher adds, "I'd like for them and other people out there to know that if you put something like this up, there are people out here watching you. We are monitoring you and we will take action on it."
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