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Actor John Barrowman posted the rant on Twitter on Thursday evening
Said staff at West Hollywood Target scolded him for helping homeless man
Target apologized to Barrowman and said it will address incident with staff
LA has seen a massive 75% surge in homeless population over past six years

Published: 11:49 EDT, 7 April 2018 | Updated: 18:25 EDT, 7 April 2018

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Actor John Barrowman took to his Twitter account on Thursday evening to launch an angry tirade aimed at retail giant Target.

The Desperate Housewives star claimed in the filmed rant that staff at the store in West Hollywood scolded him for purchasing clothing and a $40 gift certificate to give to a homeless man outside.

'I just bought a $40 gift certificate and a jacket and a shirt for a homeless person, and I was just lectured by the Target staff that I was not allowed to do that,' Barrowman said in the minute-long video, which was viewed more than 188,000 times.

The 51-year-old performer continued his rant standing on the sidewalk outside the store on on Santa Monica Boulevard.

John Barrowman vs Target: The actor filmed a FURIOUS rant at the retail giant after shop staff 'lectured' him for buying a homeless man clothes and a $40 gift certificate in Hollywood

'Target, that’s a stupid rule. How dare you tell me, as a customer, who I am allowed to buy for, and what I am allowed to buy,' Barrowman said.

Continuing his rant to his 497,000 followers, the Arrow actor went on: 'It’s absolutely ridiculous and every customer behind me thought it was ridiculous also.

'That gentleman just needed a bit of help to get him up, to make his day a little better, and Target, you were trying to deny that, so I’m a little p***ed off with you right now.'

Barrowman tagged the official Target account in his post, who replied swiftly to apologize and tell him they were going to investigate.

They have since released a statement. It read: 'We’re very sorry for the experience you had at the LA Target store.

Fuming: In the minute-long video - which has at the time of this story's publication had 176k views, 832 comments, 4,957 retweets and 10k likes - Barrowman stands outside the store on on Santa Monica Blvd (pictured)

'Disgusted!' Continuing his rant to his 497,000 followers, the Arrow actor went on to say 'it’s absolutely ridiculous and every customer behind me thought it was ridiculous also'

Going viral: Barrowman tagged the official Target account in his post, who replied swiftly to apologise and tell him they were going to investigate

'We absolutely do not have a policy against this type of purchase, and are addressing it immediately with the team members involved.

'Thank you for bringing this to our attention.'

The homeless population in Los Angeles has surged more than 75 per cent in the past six years, as California grapples with a homelessness crisis.

Official estimates of the city's homeless population run about 60,000, but outreach workers say the true number is even higher.

In Barrowman's initial tweet, he captioned the video: 'I am disgusted by what I was told. Arrest me for trying to help someone. The stupidity behind that rule. I want an explanation. My fans and followers please message #Target regarding this. JB.'

And indeed, his fan-base chimed in, praising the star for taking on the retail chain.

In the normally jovial actor's initial tweet, he captioned the video: 'I am disgusted by what I was told. Arrest me for trying to help someone. The stupidity behind that rule. I want an explanation. My fans and followers please message #Target regarding this. JB'

High praise: 'Well done John, what a disgrace, where is compassion in this world, looks like common sense is not on targets agenda [sic],' one person posted in reply to his rant

Barrowman is pictured as Patrick in the set of ABC's Desperate Housewives

'Well done John, what a disgrace, where is compassion in this world, looks like common sense is not on targets agenda [sic],' one person posted.

Another replied: 'That is awful!!!!! You have every right to purchase whatever you want for whomever you want! Thank you for being a kind human being!!! [sic]'

Another sympathised with the homeless man Barrowman helped out: 'This is why I love you, John. Your heart is huge. From someone who’s been there, thank you for helping that man. [sic]'

Target has stores across the US at 1,828 locations [as of 2017] and invested a massive $7billion in its shops, a revamped digital strategy and private label pushing since 2015.

In 2017, Target returned $591million to shareholders in the fourth quarter through dividends and share repurchases, bringing the total to $2.4 billion for full-year.

'This is why I love you, John. Your heart is huge. From someone who’s been there, thank you for helping that man. [sic]' one fan told Barrowman

'That is awful! You have every right to purchase whatever you want for whomever you want! Thank you for being a kind human being!!' another fan told the Desperate Housewives star

Official estimates of the city's homeless population run about 60,000, but outreach workers say the true number is even higher. Barrowman is pictured in the Desperate Housewives set

Target's Previous Controversies

John Barrowman's encounter with the store is not the first time the US retail giant has come under fire.

LGBTQ Issues

In 2011, Lady Gaga discovered that the former Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel donated to a political action group that supported an anti-gay candidate.

She had been expected to provide the company with an exclusive expanded edition of her album at the time, Born This Way. But her discovery made her pull out of the arrangement.

Target issued an apology and the following year began stocking gay pride merchandise and donating profits to LGBTQ charities and organisations.

They have since gone above and beyond to support gay rights, featuring LGBTQ individuals and couples in national advertising and launching a #takepride campaign in 2014. They have also been the presenting sponsor of GLAAD's Spirit Day and were ranked by LGBTQ Consumers as a favourite brand in 2016 & 2017.

Bathroom Policy and AFA Boycott

Target's activism where LGBTQ customers were concerned led them to announce in April 2016 tha it would allow transgender customers and employees access to use restrooms and changing areas that correspond with the gender with which they identify.

Despite being branded 'the most prominent position taken by a national retailer' by the New York Times, the American Family Association (AFA) launched a nationwide boycott.

Over one million people had signed the AFA's petition by the end of the month and it was suggest that this was a major reason for Target's drop in shopper traffic during the second quarter of 2016.

Later that summer, Target announced it would add a third, private, single-stall locking bathroom at many of its stores which cost the business $20million and caused sales to fall nearly 6 percent in the three quarters following.

Animal Welfare

In 2011, Mercy for Animals reported animal abuse at a Target egg supplier.

Hidden-camera footage shot at Sparboe Farms revealed hens were being kept in unsanitary conditions, killed inhumanely and left to rot next to living chickens that were laying eggs for human consumption.

The investigation received international media attention and Target immediately discontinued its relationship with the company. It pledges to become cage-free by 2025.