A poppy seller was subjected to abuse after volunteering to man a stall in Tesco ahead of Remembrance Sunday.
Ugly scenes unfolded at the shop in Lurgan, near Belfast in Northern Ireland, when one shopper accused the pensioner of selling "badges for murderers".
She was warned that the stall was "not acceptable" for a Catholic community and that she should leave.
The British Army remains controversial within parts of Northern Ireland due to its involvement maintaining British rule on the streets during The Troubles.
The poppy stall volunteer was accused of selling 'badges for murderers' The poppy stall volunteer was accused of selling 'badges for murderers' The irate shopper screamed: "This is not acceptable! This is not acceptable to the Catholic community in this town.
"The British Army and the RUC [Royal Ulster Constabulary] murdered a lot of innocent people, and you're selling for them?
"No, I'm not accepting this! I don't accept this. As a member of the Catholic community in this town.
"Would I be able to sell ... IRA badges?
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The pensioner was told 'this is not acceptable to the Catholic community in this town'
The poppy volunteers has since seen an outpouring of support
"This is not only for poppies for the last World War - this is for murderers of innocent people!"
She demanded that security remove the poppy seller from the supermarket.
As the lady packed up and left the woman continued to hurle abuse, shouting: "Murderers! Murderers! RUC murderers! That's what they are."
There has since been an outpouring of support among Northern Ireland Unionists for the lady.
Northern Ireland Assembly member Jonathan Buckley said: "Last night I reached out to the lady selling Poppies, and I commended her for being so dignified and for her courage in continuing to sell Poppies in the face of such vile bigotry.
"Sadly this year more than ever, those raising vital funds for the Poppy Appeal have been met with disrespect and hostility."
Former Northern Ireland police officer on Burrows added: "I’ve just watched the video of a lovely lady who was running the Poppy Appeal stall in Tesco’s in Lurgan being abused for 5 minutes by a rude and bigoted person.
"Absolutely horrendous that this volunteer was treated in this way. Credit to those who intervened."
UK Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer also gave his support, saying: "The saddest thing my generation of veterans ever say to me is that they struggle to recognise the country they wore the uniform for.
"This is not it. We mustn't allow it to become like this."
