Wal-Mart Removes “Black Lives Matter” Shirt From Website After Complaints By Police
Wal-Mart Removes “Black Lives Matter” Shirt
Wal-Mart will no longer sell a certain type of Black Lives Matter T-shirt. This week, the store pulled the shirts from its online offerings, after receiving complaints by police. The national Fraternal Order of Police found the shirts “offensive.” The specific items that were removed were T-shirts and a hoodie with “Bulletproof” across the front and “Black Lives Matter” written underneath. The T-shirts ranged in style from a tank top to short- and long-sleeved versions. The FOP’s president, Chuck Canterbury, wrote in a letter to Walmart CEO Doug McMillon:
Commercializing our differences will not help our local police and communities to build greater trust and respect for one another. Turning a buck on strained relationships will not contribute to the healing process. This should be a time for joy, and no family who has lost a son or daughter, whether in the line of duty or in a tragic event, should have their pain turned into someone else’s profit.
Reportedly, the retailer is pulling the “Bulletproof” tops but retaining other “Black Lives Matter” merch. The pieces that are being removed, are sold by Old Glory Merchandise, a Connecticut-based third-party label that sells via the Walmart website. Interestingly, Canterbury doesn’t take issue with “Blue Lives Matter” merchandise.
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