Multiple protests took place at Zara locations in Toronto and across Ontario over the weekend in response to a recent marketing campaign released by the global fashion retailer.
Zara pulled promotional photographs from its online platforms earlier this month after the campaign was criticized for evoking images of war resembling scenes of destruction in Gaza.
READ MORE: Zara apologizes after its latest campaign leaves many offended and outraged
The campaign entitled “The Jacket” depicted a model with a mannequin wrapped in a body bag slung over her shoulder, surrounded by a partially destroyed set.
Following its launch, Zara received backlash online with many social media critics adopting the hashtag #BoycottZara.
At the time of publication the hashtag has amassed 74 million views on TikTok.
Zara’s response was to remove the campaign, which they said was conceived in July and photographed in September, according to a statement.
The images were created with the sole purpose of “showcasing craftmade garments in an artistic context,” the statement also said.
Video of a protest at Yorkdale mall over the weekend showed a group of activists chanting “Zara Zara you can’t hide, you make calls for genocide,” outside of the store.
Similarly, the Zara at the Eaton Centre closed its metal shutters as protesters waved Palestinian flags and chanted behind a line of police officers.
In Ottawa, a crowd of Pro-Palestinian activists gathered outside Zara at Bayshore Shopping Centre on Friday in protest of the campaign.
Zara’s apology for the campaign has also been heavily criticized for swerving accountability.
“Unfortunately, some customers felt offended by these images, which have now been removed, and saw in them something far from what was intended when they were created,” Zara’s statement said.
“This apology is giving ‘I’m sorry you felt this way’ vibes….,” an Instagram user commented.
“I think the same people who approved the campaign must have come up with this apology,” another person wrote.
