Staff Reports
The Publix supermarket chain says it’s suspending political contributions as it reevaluates its giving policy after students from the Parkland, Florida, high school where 17 people were killed called for a boycott because it supports a candidate aligned with the National Rifle Association.
Student activists from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School staged “die in” protests at two Publix stores Friday. They are upset over contributions Publix made to Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam, who has called himself an NRA sellout.
Publix announced earlier this week that it would “reevaluate” its donations amid the outcry. In another statement Friday it announced it would halt its contributions for now.
The statement emailed by Publix spokeswoman Maria Brous said the company would “suspend corporate-funded political contributions as we reevaluate our giving processes.”
Material from the Associated Press was used in this post.
11 comments
Seber Newsome III
May 25, 2018 at 6:38 pm
Why are people and corporations giving in to these children, yes children. The only way to stop school shootings is to put in metal detectors for everyone entering the school, just like their is to city council and other meetings. If society really cares, that is what is going to have to happen. Taking someones gun will not stop these shootings. Grow up people.
Jason
May 25, 2018 at 6:51 pm
That is one way.
It’s disingenuous to say it’s the only way since, really, no one has ever tried it.
For the most part, everyone who thinks they have an idea better than more effective gun laws has failed to actually implement any policy that actually addresses the issue.
Seber Newsome III
May 26, 2018 at 8:28 am
Are politicians more important than school children. Why do you have to go through a metal detector at city hall in Jacksonville? Also, I do not agree with children or anyone else, lying on the floor in a Publix store, do you? If we allow this, businesses will give into this type of bullying all over. And that is what it is, bullying. They do not like that Publix donated money to political candidates, so they go to store and lie on the floor. Let them do that where I shop and I will give them an earful and if they are in my way, step on them.
George Cornwell
May 26, 2018 at 5:38 pm
Too late. Publix reneged. If you step on those kids, Publix will have you arrested. People stepping on kids in their grocery store is the worst thing Publix wants.
Tonya
May 25, 2018 at 8:22 pm
Because children’s live matter and are at stake. And maybe they are pretending to listen because these children adult parents who have buying power. Just two possible reasons to ponder. The third reason is obvious: being tone-deaf isn’t a good PR move for retail and service industries.
Suzie Mac
May 25, 2018 at 7:16 pm
Because these children have adult supporters of their rights!
This is what protests can accomplish!
Mary Jo Pezzi
May 25, 2018 at 9:15 pm
In the entire rest of the world, there were a total of 9 school shootings since 2009 — compared to the USA that recorded 288. What separates the USA from all of these other countries is 300 million guns sold and not registered.
Mary Jo Pezzi
May 25, 2018 at 9:21 pm
One of the big reasons that I pay a little bit more to shop at “Publix, where shopping is a pleasure,” is the feeling that I support the biggest employee-owned corporation in Florida. I had no idea that I was also helping to contribute $600,000 in campaign funding to Adam Putnam over the years. I don’t like that at all… Maybe I will start doing the majority of my shopping somewhere else. Corporations should NOT contribute to political campaigns. That should be limited to individuals at a maximum $2,700.. to avoid big-donors feeling like bribery is legal in the USA and they have puppet lawmakers, who will introduce favorable laws for them.
Voncile
May 25, 2018 at 9:32 pm
Mary Jo, please feel free to take your business elsewhere. Publix, Putnam and the NRA will ‘manage’ to get along without your money, I’m sure.
George
May 26, 2018 at 5:04 pm
Publix reneged on their political contributions. And Putnam will get slaughtered this November. The “kids” are winning. And Mary Jo too.
Amy Roberts
May 26, 2018 at 11:28 am
Adam Putnam, in his position as Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services since 2011 has done his share of favors for Publix, putting them above the good citizens of our State.
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