Progressive Democrat Issue 53: NYC ACTION AGAINST WAL-MART

Join the Bipartisan Opposition to Wal-Mart in NYC

This is taken from a Daily Gotham diary I wrote.

Wal-Mart has twice been blocked from building a store in NYC--first, I think, in Queens, then in Brooklyn. It's Brooklyn that they REALLY want, but opposition has led them to consider Staten Island as an alternative. I had considered this as something of a victory already since Staten Island would be less than ideal from Wal-Mart's point of view but would be a more logical place from a New Yorker's point of view since there is room to build. Of course the goal is to block Wal-Mart altogether, but "exile" to Staten Island would be a partial victory. I also assumed that there would be far less objection on conservative Staten Island to building a Wal-Mart.
Turns out, Wal-Mart may well be running into trouble even on Staten Island. But Wal-Mart is also starting a massive campaign of bribing...I mean contributing to...politicians, running ads and even writing letters to the editor to try and soften the opposition throughout NYC so that they can build at least in SI, and maybe even make another try in Brooklyn. We need to counter this if we want to keep Wal-Mart out.

First of all, why keep them out in the first place? Simply put, Wal-Mart is one of the worst examples of what can go wrong with capitalism. Their rival, Costco, is an example of what can go RIGHT with capitalism, but Wal-Mart represents the ultimate in worker exploitation, anti-union, anti-small business, etc. capitalism. You can find the facts on Wal-Mart from Stop Wal-Mart.org.

So what is going on now in NYC? What is going on is not only the usual pro-union and anti-sweatshop opposition to Wal-Mart, but also what is seen as a "conservative" opposition to Wal-Mart. This opposition focuses on the tendency of Wal-Mart to suffocate small businesses, though I would argue that this is in no way a “conservative” value since many liberals are very much pro-small business.
In the Nov 14th issue of Crain’s there was an article covering the bipartisan opposition to Wal-Mart in NYC. I do not know if it is online so I can’t provide a link (a friend showed this to me). Here is an excerpt:

HOPES RECEDING FOR WAL-MART ON S.I.
Elected Officials line up against store

Political opposition is dimming Wal-Mart's chances of opening a store on Staten Island, despite an ad campaign to enhance the retailer's image.

All 3 City Councilmen in the borough now oppose Wal-Mart. Republican James Oddo and Democrat Michael McMahon have philosophical objections, notably that Wal-Mart counsels its lesser-paid employees to apply for public assistance. Andrew Lanza, a Republican, though initially supportive of the store in concept, believes a store suggested for his district would worsen traffic and reduce quality of life.

This article prompted a letter to the editor of Crain’s in support of Wal-Mart…but note who it is from:

STATEN ISLAND NEEDS A WAL MART

Staten Islanders love to shop! And contrary to Crain's Nov 14th story (sorry I didn't see last weeks edition) Wal Mart is one of their favorite shopping destinations.
How do we know that? Consider the facts revealed in a poll released earlier this year:

1, 62% of Staten Island residents say they would welcome a Wal Mart store.
2. More than71% of Staten Island residents are likely to shop at New York City Wal Mart stores.
3. 69& have already shopped at a Wal Mart store in other markets.
4. 71% travel outside of the city to shop and Wal Mart is their number 1 destination.
Finally, recent studies by the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation point out that residents are dissatisfied with local shopping opportunities and often leave the borough in search of other retailers, including Wal Mart.

Mia Masten
Director, Corporate Affairs (Eastern Region)
Wal Mart Stores Inc

Clearly Wal-Mart is still trying to line up support! But it seems to me that if the opposition is this broad—from me to the Staten Island Republican Council members—Wal-Mart’s efforts may just be doomed! But that is really up to us. WE have to show OUR opposition quite clearly. Whatever your reasons—labor issues, women’s rights issues, small business issues, traffic issues, sweatshop issues, etc.—if you oppose Wal-Mart, you have to write your local media and city councilmembers. Remember, Wal-Mart has its eyes on ALL of NYC (or, at least so far, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island). So wherever you live you need to speak out. Write your local media and write your local politicians.

We have the power to just say NO to Wal-Mart and YES to worker’s rights, comfortable neighborhoods and our local small businesses.