Wednesday, October 4, 2000

Attention, shoppers:

Do not enter the grocery store with any product that may appear slightly new. Employees will harass, denigrate, and accuse those who do of theft in front of the entire store.

While casually shopping at [a local supermarket], a middle-aged employee accused me of embezzling my own magazine and interrogated me for about 15 minutes while other customers watched and whispered amongst themselves in disbelief.

Although my innocence was ultimately declared, the gentleman who accused me of shoplifting continued to harass me and refused to apologize for the inconvenience. The well-known motto, "Where shopping is a pleasure," should be redefined to "Where shopping causes false accusations and public humiliation."

In Peachtree City, teenagers are being harassed and questioned everyday just for being teenagers. If we live in a society created for the people, by the people, then why is it that the voice of adolescents is never heard?

Do not give into higher authority fight for your innocence, our voices must be heard! As the late Bob Marley once said, "Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights."

Mari Gonzalez

Fayette

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