Dear Friends and Supporters,

My name is Colleen Anthony. I was born in Bagdad and am of Indian and Arabian descent, but have lived most of my life in the UK. Until recently I worked in the Waitrose Brent Cross as a retail worker. I am bringing an employment tribunal claim for belief and race discrimination against John Lewis plc, contending that because I was attacked by a customer for supporting Palestine, they sacked me.

My beliefs

I believe and support a free Palestine. I believe that the people of Palestine have the right to self determination and to be free from occupation, which is their right under international law and a basic human right. I am opposed to all forms of oppression. 

I also believe in the rights of all to their own religious beliefs and self-determination. 

Above all I believe in peace. 

I need your help to support me as I cannot fight this massive corporation on my own. If you believe in workers rights, in the right to support Palestine at work, then I would be grateful for whatever support you can give me.  

What happened to me

I worked for John Lewis plc in their Brent Cross Waitrose store for over 19 years until I was sacked on the spot in March 2024.

In Autumn 2023 I started wearing a pro Palestine pin badge in the Waitrose store, the one in the main image,. I would also wear a "stand up to cancer" badge and a LGBTQI+ badge.  However, my manager took a dislike to my Palestine badge and demanded that I remove it, but he was happy with me wearing other badges.  I complied with this management instruction and I didn't wear it again in the store. 

A few days later, whilst working in the store, a colleague asked about my Palestine badge and if I still supported Palestine. I told him that management had demanded I remove it but still supported the cause. Even though we were talking discreetly,  a customer who must have overhead our private conversation started to shout and berate me, telling me that I "shouldn't support Palestine" and should "keep quiet". I replied that it was a "free country" and I would "support whoever I wanted". The customer then shouted at me "go away, read and educate yourself". This was all in front of other customers and staff. 

Naturally, I was incredibly upset about being verbally attacked in this way, but I carried on working as I was still on shift. 

A short time later I was approaching customer service and as soon as she saw me the same customer started shouting "that's the girl who was rude to me". She again started attacking me, shouting I needed to "get an education" and "read". She also shouted "those Muslims" (she was referring to my colleagues and I who had talked about supporting Palestine). I replied "Madam you read". A colleague then told me to go outside while they placated the customer. 

I was immediately suspended from work and subjected to an investigation and disciplinary process. The customer accused me of saying "f*ck Israel", but I hadn't. 

During the disciplinary proceedings, I told management I was deeply worried about my family in Palestine and I was deeply sorry for what happened (replying to the customer) and would make sure I wouldn't respond to a customer who was attacking me again. Some of my friends have been killed in Gaza. Management were annoyed I had spoken back to the customer.  

The dismissing officer decided that I hadn't said "f*ck Israel" but he still decided to sack me anyway.  The dismissing officer said that:

i)  "you are aware that you should not be talking about Politics on the shopfloor due to the potential consequences and offence to others. This could potentially damage the brand."

ii) "the whole situation with the customer would not have occurred if you had not been speaking about Palestine to your colleagues";

iii) "I do not believe you accept the personal responsibility of causing this situation when talking to your colleagues" ; 

iv) " I do not believe you met the expectations of being a Partner at this time in line with the above expectations"; and

v) "Your comments about respecting those that respect you, reaction like being stung by a bee and the comment like a dagger through your heart" concern me and lead me to believe there could be a repeat". 

I was sacked on the spot, despite working for them for over 19 years. I didn't even receive my notice pay. There was no loyalty, they didn't look after me despite giving my working life to them. They don't back you up. 

I want to fight back. My claim isn't just about me, it's about all those who want to support Palestine and other people who are repressed and don't have human rights throughout the world. All people in the UK should have freedom of speech and expression, particularly for those who don't have a voice. 

Issued Claim

I have already issued my claim in the employment tribunal and John Lewis plc have defended it. We are waiting for a Case Management hearing.  

One initial battle in my claim is time limits. I say that because of my depression after being sacked by John Lewis plc, I simply couldn't start the claim within the very short time period for employment cases. I will need to file expert medical evidence about my depression and why it prevented me from issuing in time. John Lewis are trying to throw out my claim because I issued my claim late. 

I believe I have a strong claim. Of course, only an employment tribunal can decide whether John Lewis plc have unfairly dismissed me or discriminated against me because of my beliefs and my race. 

I have been unable to find a job since being sacked. I'm 60 and it is incredibly difficult to find any alternative work at my age.

Political views John Lewis plc support

I believe I have been sacked for my beliefs which are about political affairs. 

However,  John Lewis / Waitrose are very happy to promote political beliefs they agree with. 

John Lewis plc / Waitrose have a "Ukraine Crisis Appeal". They say on their own website that "Over the last week we have witnessed scenes of unimaginable suffering in Ukraine.". Sharon White, their Chairman in March 2022 said "my thoughts are with the people of Ukraine and everyone affected by this terrible war. We all share a common humanity and all conflicts - near and far - strike at the heart of our values." 

I understand they have made a donation of £100,00 for Ukraine. Don't get me wrong, I support people caught up in the Ukraine war. I don't like wars anywhere. I am against wars. 

However, they sack me for supporting Palestine and then being verbally attacked by a customer. Is it not also a terrible war in Gaza and Palestine? Does the terrible situation in Gaza not impact on our common humanity and conflicts? Is it fair to support Ukraine but sack an employee of 19 years for supporting Palestine? 

Initial target and stretch target

I am raising these funds to help me pay my legal fees and all of the money raised goes directly to my lawyer. I do not receive any money from this crowd funder. My solicitor is Elliot Hammer from Branch Austin McCormick who is an experienced free speech lawyer. 

My initial target is £2,500 to help me obtain an expert report on my depression and anxiety which prevented me from issuing my claim within normal time. 

The stretch target is £50,000 which I hope will then be able to see me through to the case management conference and any attempt to strike out my claim because of the time limit issue. It will also pay my current legal bills which I have incurred in issuing the claim and initial correspondence with John Lewis.  

Any money that doesn't go to my case will go to similar causes raising money through Crowd Justice. To confirm, the money goes straight to my solicitor. 

Every donation will be gratefully received and I believe will send a clear message to employers: people should be free to support who they want to. 

Colleen Anthony