Community, Faith, Labor to Unite in Largest Ever Rally to Stop “Walmartization” of L.A. Jobs

Los Angeles – On Saturday, ten thousand Southland residents concerned about the growth of L.A.’s low wage economy and the influence of the nation’s largest retailer will march through L.A.’s Chinatown to call for an end to the “Walmartization” of L.A. jobs. Saturday’s march and rally will be the largest demonstration in history calling for Walmart to change its business practices to help rebuild the American economy.

Chinatown residents, community organizations, faith leaders and union members will stand with Walmart Associates from stores in Crenshaw and other neighborhoods and workers at Walmart warehouses in the Inland Empire who are uniting in a growing campaign to keep Walmart out of Chinatown and to call on the retailer change the way it treats workers and communities. This march marks the largest mobilization of union members turning out in support of Walmart Associates and warehouse workers who are organizing to improve working conditions at the retailer.

Saturday’s event will begin with a rally in Los Angeles State Historic Park (the Cornfield) north of Chinatown at 11:00am with musical act The Billionaires and will proceed along Broadway to the intersection of Broadway and Cesar Chavez Blvd. There, under Chinatown’s historic dragon gate, speakers will call on Walmart to stop its cycle of impoverishing communities and on city officials to reject Walmart’s political contributions and proposal to build its store in the middle of the Chinatown historic district. Speakers and performers will include 2012 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Dolores Huerta, U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu, Grammy winning musician Tom Morello, The Nightwatchman, United Food and Commercial Workers President Joe Hansen, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the L.A. County Federation of Labor Maria Elena Durazo, Chinatown residents, Walmart workers and other Walmart supply chain speakers.

This effort to hold Walmart accountable to the concerns of workers and communities has gained momentum in recent months with the public relations phony reporter scandal in Los Angeles, the $24 million Mexico bribery scandal and cover-up, L.A. labor’s call to on area politicians to rebuke Walmart contributions, allegations of new labor violations at warehouses, and the questionable permitting process by Walmart to open a Chinatown store against the wishes of area small business and residents.

The march is one of 50 townhalls, rallies and marches being held across the country as Walmart plans to celebrate its 50th Anniversary next week. Workers and community members are also speaking out on a new website, www.Walmartat50.org, which features personal stories on the impact Walmart is having on the lives of workers, businesses and communities.

Who: 10,000 people comprising working families, Chinatown residents and youth, small business owners, civil rights, community, faith and labor groups

What: Thousands march and rally to call for Walmart to change its business practices

When:

• Gathering in Los Angeles State Historic Park: 10:30am
• Program in the Park: 11:00am
• Chinatown March: 11:15am – 12:00pm
• Rally at Cesar Chavez Blvd. & Broadway: 12:00 Noon

Where:
Los Angeles State Historic Park
1245 N. Spring St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012

• Map of Marching Route

Visuals: 10,000 people including Chinatown lion dancers, Korean drummers, Teamsters motorcycle club, families with children, marching through the streets of Chinatown holding giant banners and thousands of signs. Major rally under Chinese dragons at Chinatown entrance, Broadway and Cesar Chavez