Walmart Developer Criticized, Workers Speak Out in Video

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)“Developers should not be rewarded for displacing residents and bringing jobs that make it impossible to live in the area and support a family,” said DC Jobs with Justice’s Mike Wilson Wednesday outside the Marriott Wardman Park in DC where the JBG Companies were receiving the “Developer of the Year” award from NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, at their annual meeting. JBG is “not hiring local residents to work on the project, and they have not engaged us in any meaningful dialogue about the kind of development we would like to see in our neighborhood,” said Commissioner Keith Silver, who represents the area where JBG is planning to build a Walmart in Ward 6. “The proposed location in my ANC is nothing more than a developer-driven, sweetheart deal struck with the executive and legislative branches of the city government.  Our collective community and our city deserve better.” In related news, the brand-new “Why are we standing up to live better?“ video from OURWalmart – shot and produced by local Mike Blain – features poignant Walmart workers across the country explaining why they are standing up to the big-box giant. - photo: members of Justice at Wings campaign joining in protesting JBG; photo courtesy of Respect DC