Call for boycott. Organizers faulted Target, accusing the giant retailer of abandoning its legacy causes to enrich the commnweal. Said irganzier Nekima Levy Armstrong about Target: “They acted cowardly, and they made the decision to bow down to the Trump administration. We are here today, saying we will not bow down.”
Boycott plan coincides with Black History Month
MINNEAPOLIS – Civil rights activists announced a nationwide boycott of Target 2,000 stores nationwide to protest the company’s plan to phase out its diversity equity and inclusion initiatives. At a rally outside Target’s headquarters in Minneapolis, organizer said to expect demonstratiins at Target stores starting Saturday — the first day of Black History Month. Nekima Levy Armstrong of Minneapolis, founder of the Racial Justice Network, encouraged Target shopper to go online and buy directl from Target suppliers. She encouraged black-owned hair care brands like The Doux and Camille Rose and the cosmetics brands like Lip Bar. Levy Armstrong said she was stunned that Target was backkg off its leadership in building a more diverse society and workforce: “We thought that they would hold the line. We thought that they would continue to stand for the values that we all hold dear. But instead they acted cowardly, and they made the decision to bow down to the Trump administration. Well, we are here today saying we will not bow down. We will not step back, and we will not turn around.” Jaylani Hussein, who heads the Minnesota chapter of the Council on Islamic-American Relations, told demonstrators that Target must be called out: “We here in Minneapolis today, the good people of the state, are saying to our friends all over the country, ‘If you were moved to do something good after the murder of George Floyd, it is time for you to stand up and boycott Target.”
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Levy Armstrong: ““Target knows what its presence and its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion has to this community. So that is why re focusing on Target first. But that does not mean that those other businesses should not also be held accountable. All of those businesses should be held accountable, and they should not have access to our dollars.” She said Minneapolis civil rights leaders had been gobsmacked. Target had not reached out to them at all, she said, adding tat ore expected more from Target. “Now it feels like everything it had done in support of people of color was just window dressing.” Reconciliation, she said, is still possible. “A starting point for any conversation would be for the Target reverse its decision immediately.”