Twitter reacts to Virgin Active incident
Mohammed Desai, who is a Pro-Palestine activist and a member of the Young Communist League, was told his membership would be terminated if he continues to wear Pro-Palestinian T-shirts.
Desai told Jacaranda FM News that he is taking the matter to the South African Human Rights Commission as his T-shirts are not anti-Semitic nor do they promote any hate speech.
Virgin Active issued a statement on Thursday and this is what they had to say…
“Our goal at Virgin Active is for our health clubs to be neutral spaces in which members can pursue their health and wellness goals while, at the same time, accommodating the rights and freedoms of all members.
We are not in the business of restricting speech or policing personal behaviour unless it contravenes the club rules, the law or carries some kind of threat to the safety of staff and members. In all instances we seek a negotiated solution to any perceived conflict.
The T-shirt worn by Mr Desai generated strong complaints from fellow members at the Old Eds club and he was politely requested by management not to wear it in future. He aggressively declined this request and said he would force entry if he was refused. When he appeared at the club, clearly intent on making a political statement and generating confrontation, management were genuinely concerned about the potential consequences and called on the police to intervene.
This is a situation we have never encountered before and we have learned valuable lessons. We need to make it clear that no legal item of clothing is banned from Virgin Active clubs but we would hope that members would understand the need for both tolerance and respect in this space.
We do not believe our clubs should be forums for contentious political activity. Mr Desai has not been banned and is welcome to return to train as a member as long as he respects the conditions of membership.
We have sought an urgent personal meeting with Mr Desai to discuss our position. Any member who made provable threats on our premises of physical violence against Mr Desai, or any member on any occasion, will have their membership reviewed and possibly terminated”
Twitter users had this to say…
Approved gym attire? #VirginActive #Houghton pic.twitter.com/kmFFzmDaUI
— Zee (@dose_of_zee) August 13, 2015
And when the Rugby Jocks from Stellenbosch turnup with their deep v's #VirginActive????? pic.twitter.com/gcExjkZeou
— Ryan Cummings (@Pol_Sec_Analyst) August 13, 2015
.@virginactiveSA does he have an agenda? #VirginActive pic.twitter.com/FQJu1TiaWR
— shiraz (@_shiraz___) August 13, 2015
Our prayers have been answered... No tshirts allowed! #VirginActive http://t.co/7oZr2hR9Sk pic.twitter.com/Igu21lBKzJ
— Zee (@dose_of_zee) August 13, 2015
.@virginactiveSA is this even legal? #VirginActive pic.twitter.com/3dZ20MTvfW
— shiraz (@_shiraz___) August 13, 2015
@virginactiveSA is this outfit acceptable? #VirginActive pic.twitter.com/d93z2bHWue
— shiraz (@_shiraz___) August 13, 2015
@virginactiveSA is this allowed? #VirginActive pic.twitter.com/LtGA6c8Yre
— shiraz (@_shiraz___) August 13, 2015
It's just a Tshirt, can #VirginActive calm down... 😏
— »Sapiophile « (@Cyegolicious) August 13, 2015
#virginactive the person was not campaigning he had a t-shirt on, how is that offensive ?
— Thabo Sibiya (@thabo_s) August 13, 2015
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#virginactive the person was not campaigning he had a t-shirt on, how is that offensive ?
— Thabo Sibiya (@thabo_s) August 13, 2015
(Edited by Suné Du Toit)
File photos: Facebook
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