NO FIRST AMENDMENT IN BENTONVILLE: WAL-MART WATCH BILLBOARD COMES DOWN
NO FIRST AMENDMENT IN BENTONVILLE: WAL-MART WATCH BILLBOARD COMES DOWN
For Immediate Release
Thursday, June 01
(202) 557-7440
Bentonville, Ark., June 1, 2006 – Today, a billboard purchased by Wal-Mart Watch and placed at 1111 South Walton Boulevard in Bentonville, is undergoing a whitewashing by the very company that agreed to put up the billboard.
Whistler Outdoor Advertising entered into a contract with Wal-Mart Watch to put up the billboard and the display went up as planned at 8 a.m. today. Whistler approved the artwork after they received it on May 25. But this afternoon, owner Shawn Whistler reneged on the deal, and claimed that Wal-Mart Watch had “duped” the company. Whistler also told Wal-Mart Watch that many of his clients do business with Wal-Mart.
The billboard included the following quote from Wal-Mart’s late founder, Sam Walton: “Maybe the most important way in which we at Wal-Mart believe in giving something back is through our commitment to using the power of this enormous enterprise as a force for change.” It also called on Wal-Mart to accept Wal-Mart Watch’s “Handshake with Sam”. The “handshake” refers to the proposed agreement made in a in the New York Times on May 23, in which Wal-Mart Watch called on Wal-Mart to reform its business practices.
Wal-Mart Watch executive director Andrew Grossman issued the following statement in response:
“Back in the days of Sam Walton, deals were sealed with a handshake, which Mr. Sam considered the same as a moral contract. Last week we offered our proposed agreement, ‘A Handshake with Sam’, in good faith. Unfortunately, Wal-Mart responded to our handshake with jeers. Now another contract has been broken. Whistler Outdoor Advertising approved the artwork and billboard a week ago, and they put the billboard up this morning. They broke the deal this afternoon under what must have been withering pressure from Wal-Mart. Apparently there is no first amendment in Bentonville. We hope that Whistler will reconsider their decision. If not, we will accept our refund and contribute it to the Bentonville Public Library.”
Click here to view the billboard’s design.
For Immediate Release
Thursday, June 01
(202) 557-7440
Bentonville, Ark., June 1, 2006 – Today, a billboard purchased by Wal-Mart Watch and placed at 1111 South Walton Boulevard in Bentonville, is undergoing a whitewashing by the very company that agreed to put up the billboard.
Whistler Outdoor Advertising entered into a contract with Wal-Mart Watch to put up the billboard and the display went up as planned at 8 a.m. today. Whistler approved the artwork after they received it on May 25. But this afternoon, owner Shawn Whistler reneged on the deal, and claimed that Wal-Mart Watch had “duped” the company. Whistler also told Wal-Mart Watch that many of his clients do business with Wal-Mart.
The billboard included the following quote from Wal-Mart’s late founder, Sam Walton: “Maybe the most important way in which we at Wal-Mart believe in giving something back is through our commitment to using the power of this enormous enterprise as a force for change.” It also called on Wal-Mart to accept Wal-Mart Watch’s “Handshake with Sam”. The “handshake” refers to the proposed agreement made in a in the New York Times on May 23, in which Wal-Mart Watch called on Wal-Mart to reform its business practices.
Wal-Mart Watch executive director Andrew Grossman issued the following statement in response:
“Back in the days of Sam Walton, deals were sealed with a handshake, which Mr. Sam considered the same as a moral contract. Last week we offered our proposed agreement, ‘A Handshake with Sam’, in good faith. Unfortunately, Wal-Mart responded to our handshake with jeers. Now another contract has been broken. Whistler Outdoor Advertising approved the artwork and billboard a week ago, and they put the billboard up this morning. They broke the deal this afternoon under what must have been withering pressure from Wal-Mart. Apparently there is no first amendment in Bentonville. We hope that Whistler will reconsider their decision. If not, we will accept our refund and contribute it to the Bentonville Public Library.”
Click here to view the billboard’s design.
posted by Walking Contradiction at 4:54 AM
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