Giant Eagle To Cease Selling Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

PITTSBURGH, PA — Giant Eagle will stop selling the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in its stores after the newspaper recently pulled two black journalists from coverage of protests in and around the city. The grocery store chain announced the move in a Facebook post.

"In western Pennsylvania, we have made the decision to halt sales of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette due to recent actions by the publication," Giant Eagle CEO Laurie Shapira Karet stated.

"It is critical that we uphold the values that have defined Giant Eagle for nearly 90 years. These measures will remain in place until the publication demonstrates an equal commitment to all those in the communities it serves."

Giant Eagle also announced that it will donate $350,000 to various social justice causes.

Additionally, all Giant Eagle, Market District and GetGo locations will be closed between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m on Saturday so the grocery chain "can begin to engage our team members in a discussion about our personal experiences and what steps can be taken to affect change in ourselves and in our communities."

The moves are being made as protests continue nationwide over the recent death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, who died while being taken into custody by a group of Minneaoplis police officers. The officers are facing murder and other criminal charges.

"We at Giant Eagle have taken time to self-reflect on what we as individuals and as an organization must do to stand up against racism and social injustice," Karet said. "Words are important, but they are not nearly enough. The time for action is now."