'Walmart at 50' Retail Worker Parade Today
Thursday, May 31, 2012(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)
It's pretty rare for Walmart to
back away from a challenge. The world's largest retailer – which celebrates 50
years in business this year -- has
been known to fly union-busters from headquarters in Arkansas to intimidate and
fire organizers in a single day. So when Walmart announced it would delay its
six DC openings by at least a year, it represented a major victory for local
activists at groups like Respect DC and Ward 4 Thrives. Respect DC is
celebrating that win today with a festive parade through DC to showcase the changes
Walmart needs to make if it wants to come into DC. There will be convertibles,
floats, stilt walkers, face painters, clowns, motorcycles, bikes and more,
including supporters from the labor and religious communities. The parade -- led
by Reverend Edwin Jones, UFCW VP Pat O’Neill, NOW
VP Alendra
Letsome, Metro Council President Jos Williams, UFCW 400 President Tom McNutt and Walmart
Associate Sharon Ramirez -- begins at 11a at the site of the proposed Walmart at 801
New Jersey Ave NW and proceeds to a street party in front of Walmart's DC
offices at 8th and G NW.
- adapted from a
report in the JUFJ News; photo courtesy JUFJ