Wal-Mart critics leave to join political campaign

A News item from Business Respect, Issue Number 111, dated 7 Jul 2007

Two of the key figures behind the anti Wal-Mart campaign are about to leave to join the presidential campaign of Democrat John Edwards, raising questions about whether the recent aggressive campaign approach will begin to lessen.

Paul Blank and Chris Kofinis of Wake Up Wal-Mart are likely to leave in a few days. The group most recently launched television ads attacking the company over the quantity of its product imported from China, with more attacks planned for the coming weeks.

The campaigners insist that Wake Up Wal-Mart will be unaffected by the move. In recent years, the organisation has organised large rallies and protests, as well as the 'Change Wal-Mart, Change America' bus tour that visited 35 cities. The group's 'constant campaign' attacked the company on different issues each month.

Wal-Mart has drawn some of the sting from its critics in recent years with a partnership with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) on universal access to affordable health care, and a radical action plan on environmental issues. However constant criticism over labour issues has harmed the company.

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