Walmart Called "#1 Contributor to Poverty"

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Accusing the world’s largest retailer of being “the number one contributor to poverty,” the Living Wages, Healthy Communities Coalition on Wednesday expressed its dismay that Walmart was included in a recent White House ceremony recognizing retailers that want to expand into underserved areas. “We applaud the first lady’s commitment to addressing childhood obesity and expanding access to healthy food,” said Mackenzie Baris, executive director of DC Jobs with Justice and a coalition leader. “Unfortunately, the White House is missing the big picture — that both problems are primarily caused by poverty.” The Coalition has been pressing for an enforceable community benefits agreement with guarantee of a living wage. “Walmart isn’t trying to come to DC and other large cities out of any sense of corporate responsibility,” added Marina Streznewski, coordinator of the DC Jobs Council. “It’s because the company has so saturated rural and suburban communities that it has nowhere left to grow except in urban areas. That’s why government at all levels has enormous untapped leverage to make Walmart change its behavior and become a force for higher living standards rather than a major cause of poverty.” THIS JUST IN: Respect DC has just posted a rocking video of its 7/16 Walmart Flashmob as 100 activists sang and danced their version of R-E-S-P-E-C-T – complete with rhythm and brass sections -- in the Laurel Walmart; check it out and pass it along!