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A crowd of protesters gathered outside a popular drug store Thursday, angry about how a certain birth control product is sold.
The protesters are denouncing CVS/pharmacy for locking up condoms in cases, saying they are angry because it only happens in poor black neighborhoods which they believe puts some of the most vulnerable people at risk of infection with HIV.
"Locking up life saving condoms is just not moral," said Melody Drnach, a protester.
The protesters say they visited scores of CVS stores and found condoms in locked cases and that the store only restricts condoms in poorer neighborhoods.
"I think it is despicable that these condoms are locked up in the exact area where it is identified there are unwanted pregnancies, so much STDs and HIV running rampant," said Waheebah Shabaz-El, a protester.
In Southeast Rayshawn Pitts says she encountered a locked case when she tried to buy condoms at a CVS.
"For any kid that walks in the CVS and needs a condom and can't get one, and has to ask at the register they wont buy it so then another unwanted pregnancy," Pitt said.
CVS issued a statement saying, "All CVS stores sell condoms that are unlocked and accessible."
Nathan Ross says his Columbia Heights CVS no longer locks condoms, but you have to get them from a dispenser which makes a loud noise each time you remove a package.
"It made a really really loud buzzing sound, and then people were staring at me and I was really embarrassed. I realized this is a problem," Ross said.
ABC 7 reporter Stephen Tschida went to several CVS stores, and says every store he went to had easy access to condoms. One CVS actually had a rack of condoms on display just as you entered the store.
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