We’re truly entering the theater of the absurd in America right now where criminals are lauded and those who try to stop them are vilified.

Case in point: the recent rash of organized retail theft at yoga pant purveyor Lululemon in Atlanta, Georgia. The company’s response? Did they make any effort to stop the thieves, or did they crack down on those who try to stop them?

They’ve answered loud and clear, firing two employees who dared clap black at a group that routinely robs the store of its high-end merchandise.

The looters had hit the same outlet a dozen times prior, but this time two female employees had had enough, with assistant manager Jennifer Ferguson telling them, “No, no, no, you can march back out.” The looters were undeterred, however, and knowing that they probably faced no consequences in today’s world, simply came back for more. “Seriously? Get out,” the frustrated former employee said.

“Chill, b–tch, shut your ass up,” one of the robbers responds. The women watch the thieves get in a getaway car but never tried to physically intervene.

So why did they get fired? For daring to speak to the robbers, and for calling the police…Which is against company policy. No, I’m not kidding:

“We are not supposed to get in the way. You kind of clear path for whatever they’re going to do,” Ferguson told 11Alive.

“And then, after it’s over, you scan a QR code. And that’s that. We’ve been told not to put it in any notes, because that might scare other people. We’re not supposed to call the police, not really supposed to talk about it.”

Watch:

JUST IN: Lululemon employees confirm they were FIRED FOR CALLING THE POLICE on thieves ransacking store.

pic.twitter.com/2uRyS6mCYm

— Mike Sperrazza (@MikeASperrazza) May 26, 2023

While the yoga pant paradise might not have her back, Ferguson’s husband Jason does, writing on Facebook:

I am more than proud to announce that my wife went into “fight’ mode.” She protected herself and the other employees and the store by yelling at them to get out. She defended her space and her people.

This is where my blood begins to boil. These are two exemplary employees, both leaders and looking to advance within the company. And what was their reward? They were immediately terminated without mention of severance or any financial consideration.

According to Jason, the women were told it would “look bad for Lululemon to be the company calling the police.”

A company so woke that it fires employees for calling the police to report a robbery. Absolutely unreal. @lululemon should be ashamed. Absolutely unconscionable.

— Chitown Bobo 697 (@fauxbo697) May 26, 2023

The company claims that its policies have been put in place to keep workers safe. Don’t tell that to employee Rachel Rogers: “We didn’t really feel protected or know what else to do,” she said.

Did calling the police help? Well, three men were eventually apprehended and charged with theft by shoplifting and theft by receiving stolen property.

The explosion of retail theft in America has reached epidemic proportions, with viral videos of smash and grabs posted regularly. We’ve discussed some of the reasons behind the dangerous trend: cashless bail laws, “defund the police,” and woke, soft-on-crime district attorneys who seemingly have no interest in protecting the public order.

But the stores and the retail chains have to start doing their part as well. It’s probably wise for untrained employees not to get entangled with criminals who may be violent and armed, but to fire two workers just for telling the looters to leave? That’s shameful.

Retail chains are losing billions every year. Why not put a little money aside for a few armed guards at the door? I think the criminals might be a little less brazen if they knew they might be facing down the barrel of a gun.

More:

Major US Retailers Warn the Shoplifting Epidemic Keeps Getting Worse

Revolving Door: 327 Crooks Account for a Third of All NYC Shoplifting

Lawless LA: Insane Video Shows Flash Mob Raiding 7-Eleven