Target faces backlash from civil rights activists who call for a boycott after the company announced plans to scale back its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. This move follows conservative pressure and aligns with similar decisions by other major retailers.
Civil rights activists assembled outside Target Corporation's headquarters on Thursday, demanding a nationwide boycott against the retail giant. Their protest stemmed from Target 's recent announcement to scale back its Diversity , Equity , and Inclusion ( DEI ) initiatives, a move mirroring similar decisions by competitor Walmart and other prominent American brands. This decision has drawn heavy criticism, particularly from conservatives and the new administration under President Donald Trump .
Nekima Levy Armstrong, a seasoned civil rights attorney in Minneapolis and founder of the Racial Justice Network, joined fellow activists and supporters at a news conference to urge the boycott's commencement on Saturday, the first day of Black History Month. Many participants were formerly loyal Target customers, expressing shock and disappointment at the company's stance. Levy Armstrong stated that they had anticipated Target to remain steadfast in its commitment to diversity and inclusion. Instead, she characterized their actions as cowardly, bowing to political pressure. She emphasized their unwavering resolve to resist this capitulation and called upon others to join their cause. Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on Islamic-American Relations, underscored the significance of holding Target accountable, particularly as a company based in the city where George Floyd's murder ignited a national reckoning with racial injustice. He urged individuals who had been motivated to take action following Floyd's death to boycott Target as a demonstration of their commitment to justice. The boycott initiative is spearheaded by local Black Lives Matter groups. During the announcement, some speakers symbolically shredded their Target credit cards, while others encouraged supporters of DEI to patronize Costco, which reaffirmed its commitment to DEI last week. Despite the palpable anger towards Target, the event transformed into a celebratory atmosphere with a New Orleans-style brass band playing protest anthems.Levy Armstrong stated that Target has not engaged with her or other local Black leaders, leaving them feeling betrayed. They believed Target's previous actions were genuine, but now perceive them as superficial. She outlined that for any meaningful dialogue to occur, Target must immediately reverse its decision. She stressed that Target understands the profound impact of its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion on this community, emphasizing it as a primary reason for targeting the company first. However, she clarified that this does not preclude holding other businesses accountable as well.Speakers also called upon established civil rights organizations that have benefited from Target's philanthropy, such as the NAACP and the Urban League, to join the opposition against Target's decision. Levy Armstrong and Hussein revealed plans to collaborate with national organizations to disseminate information about the boycott and explore further actions, which they are currently withholding from public disclosure.Since the boycott calls gained traction on social media, several Black-owned businesses that sell their products through Target stores or its online platforms have expressed concerns about potential financial repercussions stemming from a widespread boycott. These include owners of hair care brands The Doux and Camille Rose, and the cosmetics brand Lip Bar. The Minneapolis organizers reassured that Black consumers and their white allies can continue supporting these businesses while simultaneously boycotting Target. Levy Armstrong emphasized that they urge individuals to purchase directly from these Black-owned companies, ensuring that Target does not profit from their dollars
Civil Rights Boycott Target DEI Diversity Equity Inclusion Donald Trump Black History Month Minneapolis Black Lives Matter
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