Civil Rights Activists Decry Wal-Mart
Los Angeles Times- January 9 2007
By Abigail Goldman

Religious and civil rights leaders in Los Angeles and other big cities said Monday that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. stood in the way of Martin Luther King Jr.'s goals of civil and economic equality.

The group of 100 activists from 10 cities demanded that the world's largest retailer increase pay and offer better health benefits — a rallying cry for critics of the company.

"Too often, we hear that for our communities, any job is a good job," the Rev. Lennox Yearwood, chief executive of the Hip Hop Caucus in Washington, said in a statement.

"We reject the idea that minority communities should settle for low-paying jobs without a future."

Wal-Mart said in response that it was proud of its effect on its neighbors.

"The public will see through these attacks," said Wal-Mart spokesman David Tovar. "They know Wal-Mart offers good jobs and opportunities, helps working families save money and gives back more to our communities than virtually any company in America."

The critics, organized by the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy and the Partnership for Working Families, said they held politicians responsible for passing legislation that encourages companies to create good jobs for city dwellers.

As part of the latest effort, timed to come just before next week's King holiday, the two activist groups also released a report outlining ways communities could fight the retailer's expansion.

"Wal-Mart and Beyond: The Battle for Good Jobs and Strong Communities in Urban America" urges local activists to work on "living wage" legislation requiring big-box stores to pay specific wages and benefits rather than to fight the large stores after they have begun developing sites.

Wal-Mart, with more than 3,900 U.S. stores, has staked its growth in part on expansion into urban areas, particularly in California, along the East Coast and in Chicago.

The Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer has nine distribution centers and more than 200 stores in California.

Wal-Mart's stock fell 39 cents to $47 on Monday after an analyst at Goldman, Sachs & Co. cut her rating on the retailer's stock from "buy" to "neutral."

Adrianne Shapira said weak sales indicated that the company's efforts to boost sales with store renovations and other programs were taking longer than expected.