Why Twitter Is Calling For A Palmetto Cheese Boycott After Costco Pulled Product

Costco (COST) made the decision to remove Palmetto Cheese from its shelves after controversial comments were made by the founder of the product in regards to the Black Lives Matter movement, and a majority of Twitter seems to agree with the move.

Brian Henry, the founder of Palmetto Cheese and the mayor of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, created a stir with the wholesale retailer after calling Black Lives Matter a “terror organization.”

As reported by USA Today reported, in a since-deleted Facebook post from Aug. 25, Henry said, “2 innocent people murdered. Not 2 thugs or people wanted on multiple warrants. 2 white people defenselessly gunned down by a black man. So why do we stand by and allow BLM to lawlessly destroy great American cities and threaten their citizens on a daily basis ... This BLM and Antifa movement must be treated like the terror organizations they are."

Henry has since apologized for the comments, calling his actions “hurtful and insensitive,” The Sun News reported. But Henry’s apology may have come too late as Twitter users have already called for a boycott of Palmetto Cheese.

In response to the company's latest Twitter post, one person wrote Wednesday, “Used to buy this regularly. Never again.”

Another user of the social media platform said, “Your products include more than the recommended daily amount of racism. Pass.”

In response to the controversy, another user posted, “I bought some of your cheese once, but it tasted of racism.”

The continued calls to boycott the brand come after Henry previously pleaded with customers to reconsider. During a Sept. 3 press conference, he said, as reported by The Sun News, “There is a concerted effort to boycott Palmetto Cheese. Please consider the hundreds of South Carolina jobs that depend on its success. We humbly ask for your support.”

The Palmetto Cheese product label features an image of Vertrella Brown, a Black cook, which is currently undergoing rebranding by the company and should be completed by the end of October. Palmetto Cheese said on its website that it understands “action is necessary to embrace change within our organization and we are committed to making an impact internally and within the community.”

Shares of Costco were trading at $349.98 before the market opened on Wednesday, up $5.53 or 1.61%.