Chapters Take Action on Wal-Mart This Holiday Season

November 28, 2005

Sarasota-Manatee (FL) NOW held a protest at their local Wal-Mart store.

On the day after Thanksgiving the holiday shopping season shifted into high gear, and NOW activists were there to help consumers make educated decisions about where to buy their gifts. NOW's ongoing campaign to highlight Wal-Mart's treatment of women and workers becomes even more crucial in the busy shopping weeks ahead.

On Nov. 25, NOW kicked off a holiday season of protest and education around Wal-Mart. More than 50 chapters throughout the country have plans to hold Wal-Mart actions over the holiday season.

Several chapters held viewings of the film "The High Cost of Low Price," which exposes Wal-Mart's hurtful and underhanded business practices. Pennsylvania's Adams County NOW hosted 120 people at a showing, and Albany, N.Y. NOW screened the film to more than 200 people. You can find a screening near you or purchase the film online.

Activists protest at a Wal-Mart store in Western Massachusetts.

Many other chapters have planned protests at local Wal-Mart stores to educate consumers this holiday season. NOW activists braved the cold to protest outside Wal-Mart stores in Illinois, Massachusetts and Utah, among other places.

Still others have gotten involved in local legislative efforts to stop the development of Wal-Mart stores in their local community. In coalition with labor organizations and other community groups, Central Ohio NOW presented a resolution to the city council to stop big box stores from taking over the community.

Actions are also planned in Arkansas, California, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Utah and Washington, and many more states have plans in the works!

NOW chapters throughout the country are encouraged to continue showing "The High Cost of Low Price" and organize demonstrations at local Wal-Mart stores. We have produced a toolkit for NOW chapters and activists that can be found on the Chapters Only section of the NOW Web site.

Send updates and photos from your local screenings and actions to Lisa Weiner-Mahfuz at lesbian.rights@now.org.