“Attention Wal-Mart shoppers……..All blacks need to leave the store.” That is what came over the PA system at a Turnersville, NJ Wal-Mart Sunday night. Customers were stunned by the comments and sat waiting for answers over the PA from Wal-Mart managers, which eventually came in the form of an apology.
Any of the 25 in-store phones could potentially give customers access Public Address system.
Some customers were so offended by the remarks that they went to other discount stores instead. ”I can’t go back in there.” said Patricia Covington, a customer who later went to Target for her discount shopping needs. Covington has been a valued Wal-Mart customer since her Preferred Card was taken away from her in a dispute at a Hoboken Jewel-Osco in 2001. She began shopping there after the Phar-Mor scandal of 1992 almost shot her confidence completely in discount store chain CEOs. The 37 year-old had previously done most of her shopping at a Newark Venture, but refused to shop there after seeing a “Now Hiring” sign that clarified *Puerto Ricans Need Not Apply.
Local 14 year-old Billy Davis was spotted by a classmate in the distraught crowd at the New Jersey Wal-Mart. ”Im so embarrassed…our family NEVER shops here, either.” he stated.
good work on that picture, phelps.