*Walmart has announced that it will cease selling of All Lives Matter merchandise, after being accused of racial discrimination.
The items in question were sold by third-party provider Old Glory via the Walmart website, Complex reports.
A Walmart rep claims the company only recently learned that the phrase “All Lives Matter” is simply an angry response from critics of Black Lives Matter activists.
“We fundamentally believe all lives do matter and every individual deserves respect,” a Walmart rep said in a statement to USA Today. “However, as we listened, we came to understand that the way some, but not all, people are using the phrase ‘All Lives Matter’ in the current environment intentionally minimized the focus on the painful reality of racial inequity.”
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Hey, @Walmart @WalmartCanada can you explain why you’re selling “All Lives Matter” and “Blue Lives Matter” shirts on your website? Who approved this?
Remove these now. You should be ashamed.#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/PxTt1t3Vds
— Beth MacDonnell (@bethmacdonnell) June 23, 2020
The retail giant also sells other variations of the “Black Lives Matter” phrase on T-shirts, including “All Lives Matter,” “Blue Lives Matter,” “Irish Lives Matter” and “Homeless Lives Matter.”
Walmart previously announced it would no longer display at its store the Mississippi state flag—which features a Confederate battle emblem.
“We know the design of the Mississippi state flag is being discussed by various stakeholders,” a Walmart spokesperson said in a statement to CBS MoneyWatch. “While the issue continues to be discussed, we’ve made the decision to remove the Mississippi state flag from display in its current form from our stores.”
The spokesperson added: “We believe it’s the right thing to do, and is consistent with Walmart’s position to not sell merchandise with the Confederate flag from stores and online sites, as part of our commitment to provide a welcoming and inclusive experience for all of our customers in the communities we serve.”
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