Parkland Survivor David Hogg Plans 'Die-In' At Publix Stores

PARKLAND, FL — David Hogg, one of the most vocal and recognizable survivors of the Parkland shooting, is calling for a so-called "die-on" at two Publix stores Friday over the company's donations to a pro-gun gubernatorial candidate. Hogg tweeted Wednesday the protest will start at 4 p.m. and last 12 minutes inside two Publix stores near the city.

"Just go [and] lie down starting at 4," he tweeted. "Feel free to die in with us at many other @Publix as possible."

.@Publix is a #NRASellOut
In Parkland we will have a die in the Friday (the 25th) before memorial day weekend. Starting at 4pm for 12 min inside our 2 Publix stores. Just go an lie down starting at 4. Feel free to die in with us at as many other @Publix as possible.
— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) May 23, 2018

There is one Publix store located on the 8000 block of North University Drive in Parkland and several in neighboring communities.

A day earlier, Hogg tweeted that the grocery chain would be a "great place" to stage a die in, which is a peaceful demonstration where protestors lie on the ground and don't move for a brief period of time.

Hogg called supporters of the powerful National Rifle Association sellouts and urged people to stop shopping at Publix until the company publicly withdraws its endorsement of Adam Putnam, a Republican candidate for governor.

"Publix is supporting the inaction after pulse, strozier, Douglas, liberty city," Hogg said. "Don’t support an NRA sellout."

Hogg gained national fame for helping to organize the “March for Our Lives” movement following the Valentine's Day shooting rampage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Seventeen people were killed in the massacre.

Publix, a supermarket giant based in Lakeland, Florida, has donated more money to Putnam's gubernatorial campaign than any other candidate dating to at least 1995, the Tampa Bay Times reported. The heirs to the company's founder — as well as its current and former leaders — donated $670,000 to Putnam over the last three years, the newspaper said.

Publix addressed the donations on Twitter: "Supporting our associates, customers and communities is always top of mind for Publix, especially when tragedies strike like natural disasters and gun violence. When we are deciding which political candidates to financially support during an election, we consider a number of factors. Publix has not provided financial support to the National Rifle Association."

Publix called Putnam — currently the state's agriculture commissioner — the "hometown candidate" and said it has supported him since he initially ran for the state House of Representatives.

Putnam first ran for the state's 12th District seat in 2000. The district included Polk County and rural central Florida. He served in the chamber until winning the election in 2009 for commissioner of agriculture.

Nicole Krauss, a spokeswoman for Publix, told the Sun-Sentinel in a statement Wednesday that the chain regrets that some of its political donations led to "an unintentional customer divide" rather than its wish to support and grow the state's economy.

“As a result of this situation, we are evaluating our processes to ensure that our giving better reflects our intended desire to support a strong economy and a healthy community," Krauss said.

Photo credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images