Publix suspends political contributions amid statewide protests

[teach1st]

Publix suspends political contributions amid statewide protests
Tampa Bay Times, 5/25/18

Publix, facing consumer boycotts and student demonstrations over its campaign contributions to Adam Putnam's bid for governor, announced Friday it is suspending all corporate campaign contributions.

The popular 88-year-old Lakeland-based retailer, facing a major public relations crisis, issued a statement at the start of the three-day Memorial Day holiday weekend acknowledging the "divide" that it caused by its unprecedented financial support of Putnam's campaign.

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

"At Publix, we respect the students and members of the community who have chosen to express their voices on these issues," Stevens added. "We regret that our contributions have led to a divide in our community. We did not intent to put our associates and the customers they serve in the middle of a political debate."

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[HopeAgain]

1. Publix is employee owned

What made the Directors think it was their prerogative to get involved in political side-taking anyway?

[Demsrule86]

2. Publix can't win this ...now the righties will whine and cry.

They should have stayed out of politics.

[juxtaposed]

5. most ppl that shop a publix are left leaning, winn dixi is right wing

[Blue_true]

7. I agree.

Publix, along with A&P, had much better policies about allowing everyone to shop in their stores, Winn-Dixie once made shopping by Blacks difficult. When I shop at Publix, I see everyone getting treated the same, workers in the produce or meat departments do checks for any customer that asks.

[Demsrule86]

11. That makes sense as I shopped at Publix in Georgia...our only Winn Dixi closed though.

The other options were a locally owned store called Ingalls and Krogers. We lived in Woodstock. When I was in Carolina during the summer (brothers and sister get together once a year at a lake as we grew up on a lake), publix had gluten free items in their bakery. No other store I know of does this. And they can use gluten free sub rolls for what I consider the best subs ever made...

[Roland99]

14. Oh, they are. I've been called all sorts of stuff in a post I made on a local tv station's FB page

People (and I use that term loosely) were claiming i had TDS (which is apparently Trump Derangement Syndrome) although the news article and my post were completely devoid of any mention of Der Twitler

[manor321]

3. The kids are leading us

For decades we've tried to change the country and these kids are actually doing it.

[Blue_true]

8. They are doing more than talking, our generation talked a lot and came up short on action. nt

[Demsrule86]

12. If you are talking about 60's and 70's, the youth ended a war and made a huge impact on civil rights

that is something How about Roe V Wade? even birth control...when my young mother (before I was born) moved to Connecticut in 1966, it was illegal. There is no doubt that baby boomers changed this country for the better.

[Blue_true]

18. And now they overwhelmingly support Trump and republicans.

Except for POC babyboomers. Times change, I choose to live in the present. The kids are on point today, most White boomers checked out years ago.

[exboyfil]

4. Well will they balance the scale by giving $670K to Putnam's opponent

Otherwise the horse is already out of the barn.

I notice that my grocery store tilts heavily Republican in its contributions. Something I think I need to consider (even though the amounts are a fraction of this).

[lpbk2713]

6. Like most big businesses ...

they will do whatever they want.

Until they get caught.

[Demsrule86]

13. To be fair, Georgia is a GOP state completely. In many elections, there is no Dem running.

I think that will change in time. But if Publix wants a fair shake (and Georgia pols are as corrupt as they come)what choice do they have? Another poster pointed out to me that most who shop at Publix are progressive so they stopped it which I am glad of.

[Atman]

9. They already stocked their pantry with fresh politicians.

[mia]

10. K&R

[DrDan]

15. another victory for David

[Tipperary]

16. Poor choice of imagery there.

[DrDan]

17. there I changed it - would not want anyone offended