FEATURE how people are profiting from fake Repeal The 8th produce
The Repeal Project has become nationally recognised thanks to its signature black slogan jumpers.
Indeed, the items are now one of Ireland's most sought-after style items, pretty much selling out wherever they are stocked.
However, unfortunately a SHEmazing! investigation has now revealed that some people are cashing in on the political campaign via fake Repeal merchandise outlets.
Claiming to be affiliated with the Repeal Project, the jumpers first went on sale in July as part of a campaign to bring visibility to the issue of abortion rights – still one of Ireland's most controversial conflicts.
Of course, the actual Repeal Project donates all proceeds of merchandise to the Abortion Rights Campaign.
One of the seemingly counterfeit Repeal merch sites we reached out to flogs its wares on American website Teespring.
We went undercover – querying on Facebook if the clothing on sale would eventually benefit abortion efforts in Ireland. In response, we were told that profits would eventually be donated to charity.
They added by way of explanation: "We haven't actually made any money yet but I'm sure we could send you proof of a donation as soon as we do!" before immediately blocking us on all social media.
To date, it is stated clearly on the same online platform that 32 items brandishing the Repeal slogan have been sold to date.
One concerned Facebook user posted to the site's corresponding Facebook page, which has almost 400 active followers, to ask: "Are you giving your profits to the Abortion Rights Campaign? Are you with the Repeal Project?" only to have her comment deleted by the page.
"We didn't like how they (the Repeal Project) were marketing their sweatshirts through exclusivity and pop-up shops," the page creator told another Facebook user.
When the practise was highlighted with Anna Cosgrave, founder of the Repeal Project, she told SHEmazing! "A number of 'fake' accounts have cropped up, some have been shut down."
She added: "It would be great if the people running it came forward."
A spokesperson for the HunReal Issues also told us: "My first thought when I saw there was a website selling imitation REPEAL jumpers for profit and not to support campaigning to Repeal The 8th was of course disgust, but also what a great job Anna had done on a project to get visibility for the cause as well as fundraising for the Abortion Rights Campaign."
"The fact that there's a bootleg market for the in demand jumpers shows just how many people want to show their support for the women of Ireland and their quest for bodily autonomy. That doesn't make the profiteering any less in bits though."
As of today, the fake page is still live.
SHEmazing! is still awaiting confirmation that it has donated profits to charity.
