Naughty Christmas "Pornaments" are not nice, say
Florida protesters
Fri Dec 8, 12:08 PM ET
FLORIDA, United States (AFP) - The selling of sexually explicit
tree ornaments called "Pornaments" at a chain of novelty stores
across Florida has led a Miami lawyer to ask stores to stop sales,
or else face legal action.
The nine ornaments -- spoofs portraying Mr. and Mrs. North Pole,
reindeer and Frosty the Snowman in sexually risque positions -- are
selling for nine dollars and are on display on public
shelves.
Store officials say that there are no restrictions on selling them
publicly, which has caused some citizens to be outraged that
children can see them.
"I have sent a letter to the merchant telling them exactly what
Florida statute they have violated," says Jack Thompson, the Miami
lawyer who filed the protest.
Florida laws prohibit the display of material which is "harmful" to
minors in open display, or within the reach of minors who may
frequent the retail establishment.
However, a Jacksonville, Florida store official who asked not to be
identified said that very few children come into the store because
it features mostly adult novelty items as it targets 18- to
25-year-olds.
That response has not stopped a youth group from a local church
from protesting outside the store located in one of the city's
largest malls. They have sang songs and chanted, asking store
officials to remove the ornaments.
"We want to save our generation from Pornaments," several of the
groups members chanted.
There have been reports that the Pornaments have sold out in other
outlets throughout the United States.
A TV report posted on the internet said that three of the seven
Florida stores have pulled the product from their shelves.
