Publix halts political contributions ahead of Parkland students' 'die-in' protest

[packman]

Source: MiamiHerald

Supermarket giant Publix said Friday it has halted all corporate political contributions. The company made the announcement moments before a planned "die-in" protest organized by David Hogg, a vocal Parkland school shooting survivor

Moments before the protest began, Publix released a statement apologizing for putting its employees and customers "in the middle of a political debate" and announcing a suspension of political contributions.

The statement reads, in full:

"At Publix, we respect the students and members of the community who have chosen to express their voices on these issues. We regret that our contributions have led to a divide in our community. We did not intend to put our associates and the customers they serve in the middle of a political debate. At the same time, we remain committed to maintaining a welcoming shopping environment for our customers.



"We would never knowingly disappoint our customers or the communities we serve. As a result, we decided earlier this week to suspend corporate-funded political contributions as we reevaluate our giving processes."



Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article211940599.html

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Good- My 4 day boycott of their local store worked. I have to admit, I like their bakery

[bearsfootball516]

1. Well done Hogg!!

[rurallib]

2. little background please

was Publix donating to the NRA or Republicans?

Don't have any in our area so not aware of the issue.

Thank you

[packman]

3. The site given has background, but a short summary

from the site:

Hogg and other gun violence activists were angered when news broke that the grocery store chain donated $670,000 over the last three years to Adam Putnam, a Republican gubernatorial candidate who once boasted he was a "proud NRA sellout." It's the largest contribution the company has made in more than 20 years and possibly the biggest in company history.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article211940599.html#storylink=cpy

It's a good thing if ALL companies stop contributing to political groups, especially those that condone NRA policies.

[rurallib]

8. thanks

Last edited Fri May 25, 2018, 08:44 PM - Edit history (1)

I remember Putnam from years back

[Amaryllis]

13. How does this relate to Megan Kellly?

[rurallib]

15. It doesn't - I typed in Thanks and the computer filled in the line

while I wasn't paying attention.
Made the comment about Putnam and hit "post" without reviewing.

I have caught that little feature almost burning me before.
It is hot, I am tired and just wasn't paying attention.

I shall correct so I don't look like a total doofus any more.
Thank you very much.

ETA
It took me 3 shots to edit that - damn computer just kept putting it back in.
I am going to bed and watch the Celtics

[FM123]

26. I know what you mean, I have had that problem too and also with autocorrect...

[DonCoquixote]

4. yay

However, expect the NRA to be back for round two, especially as Putnam has sadly chosen to be their puppet.

[McCamy Taylor]

5. The youth demographic is all powerful when it comes to sales.

[peace frog]

6. Publix gave $670,000 to pro-NRA Adam Putnam's campaign for FL Governor

I'll shop Publix again when they demand and receive the return of their contribution, and not before.

[HAB911]

29. Exactly

I will return if they get their money back or contribute to his competition an equal amount, not before

[Scurrilous]

7. I won't have to give up my precious subs.

[ornotna]

11. I know what you mean

They do make a great sub. My favorite is the Boars Head ultimate. yum.

[Scurrilous]

20. My fave's the Chicken Tender sub.

Chicken, lettuce, tomato, onion, banana pepper, S&P and oil and vinegar.

[RandomAccess]

9. It's my understanding that Publix is employee-owned

We shop there, but find the prices higher than at our nearby Kroger.

[cstanleytech]

12. True they are a tad higher in prices however they pay better than alot of the competition.

My brother for example got hired in at around 10 bucks 4 years ago after being fired along with with a bunch of other full timers from BiLo and is now getting 14 an hour as a produce clerk where as with his old employer he was only up to 12 an hour with them after 18 years as an assistant produce manager with 5 cent raises for the prior 5 years before they terminated him and the others.
Plus they are closed on Easter and Thanksgiving where as if he was working with BiLo still he would have to work on those days.

[cstanleytech]

10. I hate their bakery, their chocolate chip cookies are just nasty and the cakes have gone down hill

as well because they are doing what the other stores (even Fresh Market) are doing and they are outsourcing their cakes and having them shipped in frozen and often there is little difference between one from a Walmart and a one from Publix other than the detail work on the decorating.

[dameatball]

14. key lime pie

[radical noodle]

22. Not at our Publix stores...

Their bakeries here are excellent. (although I've never tried their chocolate chip cookies. In fact, their stores are the best around this area.

[cstanleytech]

24. Like I said their cake decorating is still top notch but its the quality of the cakes and the bakery

in general I have issues with.
Thats not to say the competition is any better in the area because they are not however these days if I want something like chocolate chip cookies I bake them myself from scratch and the same is said for cakes which are not for special occasions when you need a good looking cake.

[radical noodle]

33. Home baked is almost always better

I would agree with that. I've never had a cookie from a bakery that was as good as a fresh, homemade one. I don't buy undecorated cakes from Publix (or anywhere) because I have to stay away from sweets, but their decorated cakes are not only well decorated here, but also the cake is moist and very good... at least as good as I could make. I think we may be lucky as we're in an area with several Publix stores that are excellent.

[SayItLoud]

16. Telling Publix via Facebook

I'll be telling them I will now go back to shopping at their stores.
I advised them I would stop when I learned of the Putnam, etc. contributions to NRA shills.

Speak up works, VOTING works. If we don't VOTE we will get more of the same.

Florida help displaced Puerto Rican's register and VOTE! Let the F'n GOP know your feelings about how you and the Island was/is treated by tRUMP and his GOP pigs. Make a difference in FLORIDA!

VOTE.

[calimary]

18. THIS!!!!

[cstanleytech]

25. They need to balance what they did out though and donate the same amount to whatever Democrat

wins the nomination otherwise their donation and the effects of it still stand.

[HAB911]

30. +++++++++++

[Bernardo de La Paz]

17. Only a "suspension". Not permanent. They hope it blows over. . . . . nt

[peace frog]

34. It's already blown over, judging from this thread

Wake up and smell the obfuscation by Publix corporate RW policy. We're being played, folks.

[BigmanPigman]

19. Hogg and Avenatti are my new heroes.

As well as the women who spoke up about Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein.

[MichMan]

21. Good first step, but we now need to double down....

until they start donating the same amounts ($670K) to progressive candidates instead

[Demovictory9]

23. good

[raven mad]

27. No Publix here, but my mom, rest her, swore by them.

The only place she'd grocery shop unless an emergency.

I'm glad they did the right thing. As you did, packman!

[B2G]

28. Publix also contributed to United Way, YWCA and Susan G. Komen. nt

and others

[packman]

32. Yah, that's what I liked about Publix

Their support of Special Olympics, homeless causes, food drives, etc. Always gave a few bucks to whatever they were sponsoring and I loved that idea of a large chain supporting such things. That is what was so disappointing in their venture into politics , especially supporting anyone who has any connection to the NRA.

[dreamland]

31. We must be vigilant and keep an eye on them

How long before they start contributing again? This is a great way to shut up the protest noise.

[peace frog]

35. It has already served to mute protest

They will continue to support RW candidates/policies, surreptitiously.

[MichMan]

36. They are now stopping other contributions like Planned Parenthood too

Don't know all of the other organizations that they deemed as "political" that are going to be affected by the decision.