DC Activists Applaud South Africa Scrutiny Of Walmart

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

DC and South Africa are connected by the struggle to hold Walmart accountable. DC’s Living Wages, Healthy Communities Coalition will visit the Embassy of South Africa this morning at 11A to applaud the efforts of the South African Competition Commission and Competition Tribunal, two government entities which recently scrutinized Walmart’s plans to buy a majority stake of African retailer Massmart. The local activists will present embassy officials with a booklet of excerpts of expert testimony on Walmart’s community impact. “South Africa is showing real scrutiny” of Walmart’s proposed entry into that country, said Rev. Dr. Jarvis Johnson of the New Prospect Family Life Center. “New York City is showing real scrutiny. D.C. needs to do the same, by holding hearings to strengthen the proposed Community Benefits Agreement legislation currently pending in the City Council.” – photo: at the April 21 press conference and rally where District residents attempted to deliver the proposed Community Benefits Agreement to Walmart representatives in China Town; photo by Adam Wright