A PUBLIC protest is being planned in support of the women who were refused entry into Havana nightclub for being ‘too fat’.
About 700 people have joined the Facebook site Havana Club Jersey Discrimination following the news that overweight clubbers were not welcome at the Halkett Street club at the weekend.
Havana proprietor Martin Sayers, who has applied for permission to open a new nightclub and restaurant on the old abattoir site, has apologised to all the large ladies who were told to ‘go home and lose some weight’ on Saturday night. He has now promised to reverse his controversial decision.
But that is not good enough for Helen Hunter, whose friends feel humiliated after being told they were ‘too big’ to go into the club. She is the creator of the Facebook protest page and is now planning to organise a demonstration outside the club on Friday night with friends.
Article posted on 29th July, 2008 - 2.59pm
49 Article Comments
GET OVER IT! You have a weight PROBLEM which you need to deal with. This protest is going to ruin the start of Jersey only indie night since the Live lounge was sold
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Everyone has feelings whether they are fat or thin and who gives anyone the right to talk to people like Matin Sayers did.
There seems to be a lot of men out there with a problem regarding fat woman, but i’m sure all these men are not perfect themselves so they should keep that in mind when they are slagging some else off, and they should try growing up.
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Helen Hunter is my hero, i cant wait for friday im going to take popcorn (for me, not for you helen).
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I am really appalled at the reaction the door policy has got. At the end of the day surely the management reserves the right to admit how they like, they are not obliged to let any one in.
Yes it is discrimination, but come on, we all discriminate in one way or another.
Night clubs have a reputation of refusing entry to people who they think does not fit the image of the club, whether it’s no trainers, no chav wear burbury etc, no white socks or no drunks.
I personally do not have a problem, when I go out I prefer to be surrounded by people that are easy on the eye.
Go on Havana, stick to your guns, keep the fatties out…..
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If they felt that humiliated why are they telling the whole world about it? Media hungry if you ask me. I would not be surprised if we saw a few of these women on big brother next year. I get told all the time how good looking I am and you don’t see me going on about it
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Can’t see a problem with it.
Usually happens in big citys.
Not going to change much on Facebook.
They will need to take leagal action
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An utterly brilliant piece of marketing management.
Without the fat people, the Club can get twice as many customers through the door.
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Maybe if these tubbies put as much effort into doing some exercise as they are into a meaningless and cringeworthy protest, there wouldn’t be a problem in the first place.
Top work nightclub owner. This should be the catalyst for a nationwide door policy.
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I am becoming bored and tired of overweight people throwing their weight around. You are overweight because you lead a sedentary lifestyle and do not know when to stop eating. You are a burden on the health services thus causing an increase in everyone’s health insurance premiums. Get a grip!
As the Havana club is private property, isn’t the manager entitled to say who comes into his premises anyway?
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“Victims”???!!! I don’t think so.
The man has apologised!
The ladies in question felt humiliated to have been refused entry. I think you’ll need your flak jackets on on Friday night if the comments on the other news story are anything to go by.
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What a laugh!
Is Jersey that boring that you have to do this?
Just go somewhere else.
People have “real” problems in life like cancer
stroke diabieties and so on.
If you fight over this you must have an empty life
go and help some organisations and do some good.
How pathetic this all is.
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I think the club should be renamed Club “88″.
Get a life you lot, The Manager has apologised. There are many things more important to worry about.
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Fat people should not be allowed to go clubbin’ coz if they can’t be bothered to do exercise they shouldn’t be allowed to do that. Unless they have a problem like diabetes.
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If Friday night was spent in front of the club doing a circuit class then it would be productive.
Otherwise the tubbies are just trying to cause trouble and antagonise people. You think this isn’t designed for a photo opportunity?
I advise that if these people feel so united that they all go to Fitness First where I am sure they will be welcomed with open arms.
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it’s not the manager’s fault you go to mcdonald’s and eat them out of business !!! answer me this why do fat people go to mac d’s and eat two big mac meals but order a diet coke ??? stop feeling sorry for yourself and go to the gym then the world will be a sexier place (and you’ll be allowed in havanna)
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I love people no matter what fat, thin, black white, rich, middle class, poor, everyone gets treated the same with me! I can’t see what people get out of pulling other people down, even if they are over weight! I’m proud to say that i was brought up with manners, sadly some people act as though they were dragged up and not brought up in a decent manner! They should get a life! Girls, this club ain’t worth spending the money and the effort on, if they can treat local people like this, they can treat holiday makers like this!
So for you others out there that pull other people down, get a life!
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Funny that.. 700 people joining facebook group. Not like a bunch of fat women to be sat in front of a computer is it!! Get a life, Get a smaller fridge and get over it.
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Really get over it, vote with your feet and don’t go back.
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Truly pathetic!
‘Victims’?
How about you go and see REAL victims of crime!
Get a life!
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On a plus note I’ll be able to get my dinner from the chippie or macd’s on Friday night without having to queue for ages!
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What a disgusting way to treat woman, I hope all you men who were so insulting and agreed with the nightclub mangager, take a moment to look in your own back yard, I am sure if you take another look at some of your dear mothers,sisters, Aunts ,nieces, Grans, and not forgetting wives and girl friends,you just might find a little more fat there than you thought, Have you the courage to insult them also
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I think the Ladies have made their point and should have some dignity and leave the issue alone now and see how this affects Mr Sayers’ business.
I think there will be trouble from some idiots who will taunt the Ladies if they do have a protest.
You were wronged Ladies, the point has been made, please show restraint now.
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Discrimination is a bad thing.. I do think there are many more important things to be meeting and protesting about though.. why not all meet on Fri night with buckets and go round collecting for people living on the streets in India or, starving in Africa?
Havana Club is bad to ban over weight people..it’s main demographic I would think!!
I agree discrimination must be stopped but a protest? He’s apologised.. protest about something important!
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They could just get a front door with a stunningly slim shaped cut out, and adopt a new banner, ‘If you don’t fit, you ain’t fit!’. Obviously the bloke’s door would be like the entrance to a cave…
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It is cringeworthy I agree.
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Do you see slim people moaning that they can’t get into places? No. Why is that.? Because it’s a healthier way to live your life and we live longer. Here’s an idea . Why not do a walk or run for charity if you’re going to protest, highligt it that way and get fitter. And while you’re at it, we will all have a good dance in Havana because we are fit enough to. As a pie shop owner i will have my stall up ready for your imminent protest.
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there used to be a group on facebook to STOP fatties being able to club and i’m pretty sure it was into the thousands of members but as usual they complained and it has been shut down i think, i don’t see why they are complaining they should see it as a reason to get out and lose some pounds
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Having read all these arguements regarding last Saturday night, i would agree that if the club had decided to ban black people from the club then i would be more than happy to join in the protest on friday night. this does not mean that i am a black person, (i am white) but i believe that when someone is discriminated against, they should have to pay for it.
Now living in london, i have denied entry to a club for being too young (over 21’s), being male (wanting a greater ratio of women to men in a club), being too smartly dressed or under dressed, even asking how much cash i have on my person or being turned away for being the designated driver (not spending any money at all).
being turned away for being too fat (obease) is just another reason why you personnaly should decide not to go to that club again, and just accept it as £$%& happens! all that is going to happen on friday night is that your going to cause a riot and end up in a cell for the night! Enjoy!
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It is beyond my understanding why anyone would want to advertise the fact that they were turned away from a club for being too fat…..
Yes it was wrong and god knows the mans livelehood is probably half ruined because of it so I’m guessing he regrets his actions.
Continuing this charade is not painting any of you in a good light and only makes you look like your actually enjoying this.
Have a bit of dignity ladies ….drop it
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What about the fat men that go to Havana? I bet the bouncers wouldn’t turn them away!!!
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I think that it was terrible to turn the ‘fatties’ away. Perhaps the club owner should have used a bit more decorum in the matter. However, I also feel that there are more important illnesses & problems out there to be worrying about ie: people with cancer/families dealing with losses. I would have said to hell with Havanah and gone somewhere else …
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Well said Jo Brand.
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it’s about time fat overweight people showed some respect for those of us who have can control our eating habits and are not too lazy to exercise. It is right that they are refused entry to clubs when one fat person takes up the space of two or three slim persons. GET A GRIP YOU LOT!!!
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Just think with all those fat people gathering, the world will tip to one side, forget the havana fat people threaten the world!!
On a more serious note if fat people don’t like the manager’s decision don’t go back!! It is a win-win situation because everyone gets what they want!
I should be a diplomat.
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Why the protest? Maybe it’s because they want this gentleman to be taught a lesson so that it won’t happen again to anyone else! If they would have gone away feeling sorry and degraded and not said anything, i’m pretty damn sure it would have happened again! It’s all right for others to say drop it etc etc, it didn’t happen to you guys/dolls did it! Make your stand Friday night girls, then take your money elsewhere! You’re too good for this place! Why are people overweight? some people have health problems, eating disorders or maybe have had such a bad past that others wouldn’t be able to cope with. Soon people will be picking on the thin and who they think are ugly, some people just need to get a life! Sadly we always get the ones that have no thought or compassion for anyone else except themselves!
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Yes, I do tell relatives if they are getting fat.
I’m doing them a favour, if I tell them when they’re piling on the pounds, then they can do something about it rather than descending into the hell of obesity with its related health problems
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To be fair, I’d say the Manager of the place has the right to refuse admission on any grounds he likes, however he could have been a bit nicer about it, e.g ’sorry not tonight, regulars only etc.’
On the other hand – I’d say fair play to the guy, at least he was being honest and told it like it is. He’s runnin a business and wants to try and get attractive women in, so (old) men will come in there and spend their money.
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I noticed a lot of the comments are directed at the “fat People” and they should get lives. I used to be a size 20…why??? Overworked, underpaid. Couldn’t afford healthy food. Worked 10 -12 hours a day.Too tired at night to exersice. I was depressed!! If I had been at Havana on Saturday and I was told that, I would have felt suicidal.Larger people don’t want to be “FAT” Who does?? Its the same as any other habit! Smoking, drinking, taking drugs, over eating is done for a reason. To refuse entry to a club is just awful. Havana pride themselves on attracting Middle aged people…how many middle aged people do you really know who aren’t carrying a bit of extra weight. As Mika says ” Big Girls you are beautiful”
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Mel, like everyone else is saying get over it. Everyone has problems and everyone seems to think their problems are so much worse than everyone elses.
Awww poor you you were overworked so you ate crappy food aww.
If someone was smoking a cigarette and it bothered you it wouldn’t be so bad to go up to them and say “do you mind putting that out?” But if we were to go up to fat people and say can you stop eating that because your weight is making me sick. Thats not right? Hypercritical.
Mika is wrong, fat is not beautiful, its not justifiable no matter how much YOU want it to be.
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Had he simply refused to admit them, there would have been no uproar. Let’s face it, the club has got free publicity and any publicity is good for business. Next week it will full of fat, thin and all shapes and sizes.
It’s also about time people other than smokers were discriminated against.
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It is true though that people may be fat through depression..which is an illness. But, being turned away would definitely make it worse..
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A1 is talking sense
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Just been reading the comments on here, just saddened by quite a few people, i really pity the lot of you that pull others down! What is it with you guys, dont you know how to treat other individuals, maybe not so! I think its about time some people grew up and stopped acting their shoe sizes, if you have never been over weight, you wouldnt know what its like! I have never seen so much bullying, looks like everyone is back in the school play ground! Never seen so much hatred amongst people, because people are over weight, what makes you others so perfect? For those of you that do smoke, take a tip, don’t stop cos you might just put on the weight and for those of you that don’t, take a step back and look in the mirror, what will you guys be like in the future because the impression i get is that you’re just too young to understand anything! Good on the girls for doing what they are doing! Just shows the sort of people that are in this world today! No wonder this world is in such a mess today!
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And another thing, what about door man that do body building, they bulk up and do look over weight at times, are you going to state too that they shouldnt be working on the doors because they look too fat? its crazy! Whats going to be next? Pathetic, sad and pitiful, thought people were better than this in this island! We surely have a different breed over here thats not right!Get a reality check you guys and grow up!
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Everyone is missing the point here. The manager has apologised and offered the girls a night out free therefore what else do you want? If I were you I would accept his apology and move on. If this protest does go ahead, I hope they are going to pay for the police officers who will have to be present to make sure there is no trouble.
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Big girls need love too. Plus larger framed people eat and drink more than smaller frame. All club owners know they make their money at the bar so he missed out on a lot of $$$. Only in America is larger people frowned upon.
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Personally, I am a bit disgusted by some of the replies on this board. Discrimination in any way is unacceptable! Thats it! Why is it that some of you people on here think its ok to be outrightly demeaning, derrogatory and damn right rude about these ladies just because of their size?
Look back at your comments and replace all the fat insults with insults about colour, or disability? Is it still ok to say those things?
It is a shame that ‘fat’ and ‘obesity’ seems to be the one ‘acceptable’ prejudice. It is as bad to demean someone over their size as it is about their colour, creed, race or religion. Grow up guys! Look to your own families, Im sure you are only insulting your own mothers, sisters, grans, etc.
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Hey good luck having a public protest, cause no ones gonna give a damn, cept for maybe being under the delusion that being barred from a private place is “discrimination”.
GUys are barred from clubs for dressing wrongly, being too ugly, and a hell lot more reasons, but do we see them whining to the police about it? Nope.
If you really feel strongly about getting into a club, then lose some weight. It’s THAT simple
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Firstly, I see a lot of people saying that it’s “fat people’s CHOICE to be fat.”
While, I’ll admit is true in most cases, it is not true in ALL cases. Some heavy people DO have medical conditions whether you all like it or not. It is not every over-weight person’s fault that they are, in fact, over-weight.
Secondly, a lot of people are claiming that it’s “not discrimination” because heavy people can HELP being heavy. Well, guess what? Whether you’re black, white, heavy, thin, tall, short, or whatever else. If you are denied access to anything — whether it is in their “right” or not — it is discrimination.
Just to send the point home. The definition of discrimination is: the act of discriminating; the process by which two stimuli differing in some aspect are responded to differently; the quality or power of finely distinguishing; the act, practice, or an instance of discriminating categorically rather than individually; prejudiced or prejudicial outlook, action, or treatment.
No where in there does it say, “You can only be discriminated against if you can’t HELP what you are.”
And thirdly, to everyone who is saying that by telling someone they are fat and therefore aren’t allowed at a certain place is “helping” them to get healthier, I say this: Who are YOU to tell someone how to live their life? Who are YOU to tell someone what they SHOULD or SHOULD NOT do? The last time I checked you were not their mother, father or doctor.
People can live their life any way they want, any how they want. Just because someone doesn’t fit YOUR standards does not give ANYONE the right to tell people how they should or should not live. Why not worry about yourself instead of how everyone else looks, or acts, etc? I’m sure that, too, would be a lot healthier.
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