Ned's Bookstore pulled ads called "sexist" by MSU's Women's Council after the group announced a boycott of the store on Thursday.

Later that night, the bookstore's windows were vandalized with orange graffiti statements saying "resist patriarchy" and "womyn unite."

The television commercials showed men walking down the street turning their heads at the sight of women coming toward them. It later includes women fawning over the Ned's gorilla mascot. They are no longer airing.

The graffiti was not an act affiliated with Women's Council, Co-Director Emily West said.

"We're very happy that they decided to pull the ads, and we hope that in the future they'll continue to think about the impact that their ads have," she said.

Ned's Store Manager Amanda Perry went to meet with the concerned members of the council on Friday after learning they were upset.

"It went OK," she said. "I feel like they're satisfied with what I've done."

Perry said she still wished the group had met to discuss the commercials before planning the boycott. She said she's always willing to pull offensive material, and she hopes if there are any problems in the future, council members will meet with her before planning any actions.

She also said the vandalism was unnecessary - whether it was committed by Women's Council or not.

"It is embarrassing for all women when women who are activists protest in this ridiculous manner," she said. "I was never contacted about the offensiveness of my commercials before this vandalist act and protest occurred.

"All it would have taken was a simple talk - from one woman to another."

The group had scheduled to meet on Friday to demonstrate in front of Ned's, 135 E. Grand River Ave., and hand out information about the commercials.

Ned's General Manager John Lindo said he hopes the whole situation can be put in the past.

"We hope the group and anyone else we offended will accept our apology and that we can move forward without any further incidents," he said. "Ned's Bookstore is not a sexist organization."

Tara May can be reached at maytara@msu.edu.