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NYC Politicians Pile On Wal-Mart: "Mexico Is Only Where They Were Caught"
By
Garth Johnston
Published Apr 24, 2012
Modified Apr 24, 2012
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Garth Johnston / Gothamist
By
Garth Johnston
Published Apr 24, 2012
Modified Apr 24, 2012
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With Wal-Mart's alleged bribery in Mexico now being investigated in the U.S., a whole slew of politicians and labor representatives showed up at City Hall this afternoon to essentially tell the company—which can't stop sniffing around the New York market—to shove off. "We say no to Wal-Mart," was the key phrase repeated regularly.
With placard-bearing protesters behind them (see video for a taste), presumed mayoral candidates including former Comptroller Bill Thompson, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer were all on hand to speak out against the company's practices. And though 2013 frontrunner Christine Quinn was a no-show, she did give the protesters a solid anti-Wal-Mart quote for their press release ("This is precisely the type of business we do not want in our communities and I remain committed to fighting against Wal-Mart's corporate poison from entering the five boroughs."). Also there? A number of City Council members and the poor PR guy for Wal-Mart itself, handing out the latest statement from the company ("We will continue to act with integrity, provide good jobs, expand access to low prices and lead on issues that are important to our customers.").
"Wal-Mart is typical of a company that knows the price of everything and the value of nothing," State Assemblymember Rory Lancman told the crowd. "They know the price of discriminating against women. They know the price of discriminating against people of color. They know the price of cutting corners on safety. They know the price of putting small businesses and the people they employ out of work. And now we know, they know the price of buying government favors. They know the price of buying those favors in Mexico, and I think all of us are deeply concerned they may know the price of buying them in the United States and possibly here in New York."
And so it went on, with speaker after speaker offering variations on the theme of the dangers of the big box retailer. Bill Thompson, for instance, focused on the company's bad corporate culture, noting that "Mexico is only where they were caught." And Scott Stringer summed up the mood nicely when he finished a litany of complaints with: "Wal-Mart, you did this to yourself."
What exactly New York City can do to keep Wal-Mart out is still a very complicated issue—as Mayor Bloomberg pointed out yesterday, "Wal-Mart has the right to come here and open a store anytime they want." But hizzoner is only right to an extent. At the end of the event, Bill de Blasio spoke briefly on the topic, arguing that between existing rules and land use provisions, "there are a number of levers that we can use to keep Wal-mart out—and we're going to use them."
Tagged
bill de blasio
bill thompson
City hall
Election 2013
scott stringer
walmart
Garth Johnston
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