For several weekends now, protesters have been gathering outside the Pruitt's furniture store in central Phoenix and it's hitting the store where it hurts. Immigrant rights activists are targeting the store near 36th Street and Thomas. They gather shouting "Don't buy racism" at customers. Owner Mike Sensing says it's causing him to lose money. "Probably put us out 15 to 20 percent." "Overall, I think I've got about $176,000 in sales I've lost because of this." Sensing says he stands to lose another $400,000 through the holiday season -- his busiest time of the year -- with no resolution in sight. Sensing says they've lined the store's delivery trucks up in front of the parking lot in an effort to shield customers from the protesters. "I don't now that we could sit down and negotiate or do anything else. We just have to wait until the city steps in and do something, I think." Both sides claim the other renigged on a deal worked out by the mayor's office last year about where day laborers are allowed to gather. But, Sensing calls the whole thing ridiculous especially when it's affecting his bottom line. "We need to see the mayor step in and at least stand up for us. We are being called racist for crying out loud." http://ktar.com/?nid=6&sid=646215
2007-11-14
06:07:57
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