It’s only been a few months since the whole national firestorm over donations in support of a political candidate who opposed gay rights. Even less since the whole Lady GaGa situation, but now we hear that Target, the US giant retailer is coming for our blood.
Target Corp. is suing a California advocacy group that has been lobbying for same-sex marriage outside its stores.
The company wants to ban activists with the grassroots group Canvass for a Cause from its properties, saying their recent activities at eight San Diego area stores have made customers feel uncomfortable and could be hurting business. But, reports are that they are not stopping there, they are seeking legal advice on similar action to a number of gay rights groups and charities.
"In response to feedback from many guests, Target long ago established a solicitation policy at our stores nationwide," the company said in a statement. "We do not permit solicitation or petitioning at our stores regardless of the cause or issue being represented."
Lawyers for Canvass for a Cause have argued in court filings that store fronts and shopping centers are part of the public square, where free speech ought to be protected.
"You've seen activists like us at almost every store in the country," said Canvass for a Cause executive director Tres Watson. "Twenty-somethings in t-shirts with clipboards, saying 'Hey, do you support gay marriage?' And when people say no, we say, 'Well do you want to talk about it?'
"Target is alleging that our people are angry, militant, homosexual activists. But if you think through it logically, there's nothing [that] supports our cause [by] acting that way, and we don't," he said.
A judge in San Diego County Superior Court heard arguments in the case today and is expected to issue a ruling on the restraining order late next week.
Target wants to preserve a "distraction-free shopping experience" and has consistently taken legal action against groups which infringe on that experience, regardless of their viewpoint or affiliation.
But Watson said the suit in just the latest example of how Target has broken with its record of supporting gay and lesbian community groups in the past.
Last year, Target triggered outrage among some employees, customers and interest groups for a $150,000 contribution supporting Republican Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, who opposed same-sex marriage and greater legal protections for gays and lesbians. Emmer ultimately lost to Democrat Mark Dayton.
No doubt we’ve not heard the last of this story, I just wonder who else Target are planning on hitting, free speech - not in Target’s eyes, for they really do have a Target of hate towards the gay community.
More on this story at ABC
No comments:
Post a Comment