Two weeks before the Fourth of July, grocery chains Kroger and Harris Teeter (owned by Kroger) responded to a complaint by a Democrat politician in North Carolina about koozies decorated with pro-America themes featuring firearms, saying the items would be pulled from shelves.
One koozie has an image of a Bald Eagle holding a rifle in front of an American flag motif with the Patrick Henry Revolutionary War statement, “Give me liberty or give me death.” The other features Founding Father Thomas Jefferson holding a modern rifle and a copy of the Second Amendment in front of a different flag motif with the message, “Arms Change, Rights Don’t.”
Christy Clark, a Democrat candidate for the North Carolina House posted photos of the offending patriotic items on Monday, “[email protected] @kroger I am disappointed these coozies (sic) are being sold in an NC store. 110 Americans die every day from gun violence and most recently children, educators, health care providers, and family members were killed in mass shootings. Please remove them. #ncpol @NCGV”
Harris Teeter capitulated to Clark within hours, “Thanks for reaching out, Christy. As soon as these items were brought to our attention we put a recall request into place and these items are being removed from all store locations. We appreciate your concern.”
Kroger followed up, “Thanks for reaching out, Christy. We will tell our leadership about your request that we remove these items from our shelves. We appreciate your feedback.”
Clark responded to a selected sample of critics Tuesday by claiming woman victimhood, “Gun rights extremists have long attacked women who speak out against anything related to guns. It is the norm, sadly. I have had enough of the gun violence that is plaguing our country. I won’t shut up, and I won’t be deterred by 4-letter insults.” Clark also turned off replies to her tweet.
Most critics called out Clark without profanity or sexist comments.
Nick Searcy, “Insufferable, ignorant people like @ChristyClarkNC, who do not understand the Constitution and the purpose of America well enough to understand these items, are literally ruining the world around us, every single day, bit by bit. Do not elect this moron and help her continue.”
Shannon Bray, Libertarian Party candidate for the U.S, Senate in North Carolina, “[email protected], stomp on the #1A much? NC doesn’t need people like you on the ticket. #ncpol @HarrisTeeter – It’s designed to keep your beer cold. That’s it. Don’t fall to the cancel culture. I shop there, too.”
Code of Vets, “Our nation is the Land Of The Free Because Of The Brave. We built the most powerful nation on earth and secured our FREEDOM with our lives, blood, sweat and tears. This is not the American Way! ALL Americans have a voice. This is political insanity shaming grocery stores.”
One Kroger customer posted receipts to urge the company not to cave, “Hi @kroger! I spend a lot of money with you and I love those koozies.(Christy doesn’t even know how to spell it). Please don’t remove them. Here is my latest sending history to prove I matter more than Christy.”