December 29, 2016
Associated Press
A group says some Virginia Wal-Mart stores are discriminating by using security packaging on black hair products.
The Virginian-Pilot reports members of the Making Change at Walmart campaign held a news conference earlier this month, saying security boxes were being used on hair products for African-Americans at two Suffolk and Norfolk stores.
The national campaign is run by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.
This week, the group launched a television ad, asking viewers to call Suffolk Mayor Linda Johnson and “tell her to demand Wal-Mart stop.'”
Wal-Mart spokesman Phillip Keene said in a statement that the allegations are false and offensive. Keene said some products are more frequently targeted by shoplifters, thus the company takes “normal” measures to protect the items against theft.