A new group of citizen activists from around the country, based in Pittsfield, Michigan, wants to send Wal-Mart back to the classroom. The lesson plan is simple: the group “Moms Vs. Wal-Mart” wants the giant retailer to stop proposing superstores next to schools. Here is the group’s press release, issued today: “Q: Why is Wal-Mart facing growing opposition in cities and towns all across America? A: Wal-Mart places kids and families at risk by pursuing a strategy of building next to schools and residential neighborhoods. Parents and neighborhoods are increasingly standing up to Wal-Mart, the new “school-yard bully.” “Moms vs. Wal-Mart” has launched a national campaign asking Wal-Mart CEO, Lee Scott Jr., to adopt a more family-friendly corporate policy: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc, will not build any future stores next to schools. On the “Moms vs. Wal-Mart” website, www.momsvswalmart.org, viewers can read the letter to Mr. Scott and “sign on.” Visitors to the site can also link to the sites of the 13 grass-roots groups from 10 states that make up the coalition. Why is Wal-Mart, who battles to win more moms as shoppers, turning off the very customers they are trying to court? The motivation for these unusual activists is what parents say is the irresponsible locations Wal-Mart is choosing to build stores. “Moms vs. Wal-Mart” groups consist of mothers, fathers, grandparents and students who are asking Wal-Mart to choose safer, more commercial areas to build Supercenters. The well-documented increase in traffic and crime associated with Wal-Mart Supercenters are the primary reasons families object. “A business that brings in an alarming increase in traffic and crimes is not a good neighbor for children. If Wal-Mart continues bulldozing towns in order locate stores next to schools, they will lose thousands of moms as shoppers.” said Lisa Miller, co-founder of a Michigan group opposing a Wal-Mart. Towns and cities face an enormous challenge when Wal-Mart, the world’s largest corporation, proposes to develop next to neighborhoods and schools in their community. Zoning Laws and Master Plans are easily swept aside when towns fret about using precious taxpayer dollars to battle Wal-Mart in court. Links to the “Moms” site will be posted on national Wal-Mart opposition sites, but the leaders of these groups want you to know that they are self-funded and run by
families, not unions. “Moms vs. Wal-Mart” coalition members are leaving the larger issues of health care and labor reform to the union backed groups. The parents’ fight with Wal-Mart is about “location, location, location.” “It is shameful for the largest retailer in the world to be picking on communities
in this way,” said campaign organizer, Kristin Judge. “If Wal-Mart must build in a community, we ask that they build in highly commercial areas, a safe distance from kids.” The “Moms vs. Wal-Mart” coalition is appealing to Wal-Mart to, “Stop
building next to schools!”
For local contacts in Moms Vs. Wal-Mart, go to www.momsvswalmart.org, or contact [email protected] or [email protected].
