| By Xavier - Jul 28, 2010 10:16:11 AM ET |
Tags: BPA, BPA Bill, Citizens United, Corporate Contribution, emmer, Emmer for Governor, GLBT, LGBT, Minnesota Forward, Minnesota Governor's Race, MN 2010, MN Forward, MN Gov, Pride, Target, Target Corp, Target Corporate Contribution, Tom Emmer, Tom Emmer for Governor, Twin Cities Pride, Video
Target Corp. is in full damage control mode this week. Why? Because people aren't happy about the corporation's decision to donate $150,000 to MN Forward, a right-wing interest group which is spearheading an effort to get Tom Emmer elected governor.
While Target claims it doesn't have a "social or political agenda" the same can't be said about the Republican they're spending a lot of money to get elected. The "pro-business" Tom Emmer that Target is supporting is the same guy who wants to cut the minimum wage for service industry employees, who voted against banning toxic chemicals from baby bottles and sippy cups, and who tried to get same-sex and unmarried couples excluded from a surrogacy law.
After hearing about Target's decision to back one of the most anti-LGBT candidates in the country (not only does Tom Emmer consistently back gay marriage bans, but he's a constant voice of opposition to laws to protect LGBT youth from bullying in schools), one Eden Prairie mom and grandmother went to her local Target store to get some answers.
Watch what happened:
While Target Corp's donation to MN Forward is now legal in the new post-Citizens United world, what's troubling is that it flies in the face of the outreach Target has made to the LGBT community -- and its fairly progressive stance on issues like climate change.
Target has even supported government regulations to restrict greenhouse gas emissions -- making it a leader in the business community. How can that same Target Corporation contribute to MN Forward, which supports Tom Emmer -- a legislator who actively opposed funding for conservation and consistently voted against environmental protection funding, including a reporting system for greenhouse gas emissions?
Last week, ABM launched Facebook ads targeting some 57,000 Target employees to let them know about the donation. Today, we're taking our effort to inform employees -- and Target customers -- to the next level by launching a Facebook poll of Target employees and "fans" of Target on Facebook asking them what they think about Target's decision to back Tom Emmer.
We'll keep you posted on the results, but if the comments on Target's Facebook page are any indication, Target Corp. hasn't heard the last from its customers about its support of a far-right candidate like Tom Emmer.



