Walmart listened

Faith, one of the most hotly debated issues – gun safety – is making headlines thanks to a Change.org petition that was signed by more than 140,000 people. It's evidence that people like you have the power to influence change on some of the country's biggest problems. In the wake of devastating mass shootings in El Paso, TX, and Southaven, MS, Thomas Marshall knew he had to do something. As a Walmart employee, he felt discouraged and angered by Walmart’s inaction around sales of guns and ammunition.  After deciding he “would no longer be willingly complicit in a company that continued to make profits off of firearms,” he and his fellow coworkers created a petition that grew to over 140,000 signatures. That support helped catapult Thomas’s story into the national spotlight. He was covered by CBS News, FOX, NBC News, The Washington Post, NPR, Democracy Now, USA Today, Fortune, Associated Press, Reuters and many, many more. Walmart took notice – and retaliated against Thomas and his fellow employees. They were blocked out of their work emails and online networks. Walmart even said it had no plans to change its gun-sales policy, and leadership chided Thomas’ tactics, saying “there are many more constructive avenues for employees to offer feedback.” Thomas knew his job was on the line, but for him, this issue was bigger than a paycheck. Every week, more lives were being lost due to inaction on gun violence. He sent the petition to Walmart CEO Doug McMillon in late August, saying, “Customers no longer feel as safe as they once did in our stores. We must do more. We have the power to do more."   And McMillon listened. Yesterday, Walmart announced sweeping changes to its gun sales policy.  They are ending the sales of all handgun ammo, will completely exit the handgun market, and will no longer allow customers to openly carry guns in their stores.   And that’s not all. After Walmart’s landmark decision, supermarket chain Kroger followed their lead and asked customers not to openly carry guns in their stores.  In an interview with MSNBC’s The Beat with Ari Melber, Thomas said, “We are incredibly grateful and impressed by the direction Walmart is now going. This is something that is incredibly hard to change in this country, and we are hoping that this will set a paradigm and a precedent to help curb this horrible trend of mass shootings and violence in this country...There was a lot of pressure from on high not to speak out, but I’m incredibly glad we did.” This major change is what people power is all about. It’s why we are proud that our mission provides a place for people like Thomas Marshall to create a petition and make a real difference.   But Thomas still needs your help. He wants to see continued change and advocacy from Walmart. Please add your signature if you support common-sense gun policy, and help keep the momentum growing. Thank you for taking action on the issues that matter to you. Together, we have the power to make a real life impact. Amanda Mustafic Change.org P.S. Change.org is funded by people like you, Faith. As a public benefit company, we rely on your financial support to help power the critical petitions you sign and share, so they can go on to be victories. Become a Change.org Member today to help more critical campaigns like this one. Unsubscribe from emails like this Unsubscribe from all Change.org emails Manage your email preferences  ·  Privacy policy This email was sent by Change.org to faith.wgt.beagle@blogger.com, because you registered as a Change.org user on 11/21/2018. We'd love to hear from you! Send us feedback or contact us through our help center. Change.org  ·  548 Market St #29993, San Francisco, CA 94104-5401, USA