Protesters To Take On Walmart Again

Walmart will be the target of more protests by several organizations, including the Redlands Good Neighbor Coalition and Occupy Redlands, as part of a National Day of Action on Wednesday.

The protest is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. and will be held on the sidewalk in front of the Redlands Walmart at 2050 W Redlands Blvd. The two organizations oppose to retailer's impact on communities and the working class. They have also been the most vocal opponents of building a Super Walmart.

“Occupy activists across the nation are targeting corporate members of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) with protests,” the local Occupy group said through a written statement. “Wal-Mart is the corporate member of ALEC that Occupy Redlands has chosen to protest.”

The Wal-Mart Corporation is proposing to build a super center on a 235,000-square-foot area of Tennessee Street -- not far from Citrus Valley High School -- that would sell groceries and operate 24 hours.

Residents say the store would have a terrible affect on traffic, bringing more passenger vehicles and massive semi-trucks. They say it would also add smog and 24-hour light and noise pollution, increase crime, lower property values and create unfair competition that will hurt local businesses.

Occupy Redlands devoted its hour-long radio show "Mic Check," that airs Saturdays, to the Walmart issue. The retailer also dominated a recent Coffee with the Redlands Council event.

Redlands will protest along with Occupy Movements across the United States for a “national day of non-violent direct action,” according to the occupy statement.

“We are rejecting a society that does not allow us control of our future,” Occupiers said. “We will reclaim our ability to shape our world in a democratic, cooperative, just and sustainable direction.”