In downtown Chicago, at the intersection of State and Madison, demonstrators gathered to protest corporate America’s treatment of the Black community, specifically targeting retail giant Target.
On June 12 and 13, led by Rev. Jamal Harrison Bryant and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, community leaders, clergy, and activists called for the retailer to honor its $2 billion racial equity pledge made in the wake of George Floyd’s murder.
Protesters argued that the commitment has significantly waned since its announcement, leading to a growing discontent amongst the community.
Rev. Stephen J. Thurston underscored the broader implications of the protest, saying, “This is just about Target. But this is about corporate America. We recognize that Black dollars deserve Black dignity.”
The event commenced with prayers and speeches from faith leaders such as Pastor Otis Moss III and Rev. Charlie Dates, who evoked the historical legacy of the Black church and figures like Septima Clark and Fannie Lou Hamer.
One speaker boldly emphasized, “We come here in front of Target to put a target on Target. Every corporation in America who is afraid to look in the direction of DEI or to look in the direction of Black people—if you won’t look in our direction, then you cannot have our dollars.”
Rev. Dates reminded attendees of the commitment made by Target: “This is a promise that you made… to honor the people who shop in your store. And now you’re reneging.”
Yusef Jackson, the COO of Rainbow PUSH, spoke on the necessity of mutual respect and transparency in Target’s engagement with the Black community.
“We can’t expect us to have foot traffic in a store and not be able to sit at the table with you and make decisions,” he stated. Jackson criticized the company for neglecting its pledge to invest in Black communities after President Donald Trump’s re-election, remarking on the lack of follow-up from Target executives during the coalition’s meetings.
He noted that only one of four executives reached out post-discussion, calling the situation unacceptable and suggesting a breakdown in communication and accountability.
“This is about more than just one store,” emphasized Bryant in a powerful address.
He indicated that Target has become a symbol of broader societal issues, explaining that the recent climate is marked by regression.
“We actually thought that we were living in a post-racial America. This is almost reminiscent of a Woolworth’s lunch counter,” Rev. Bryant asserted, pointing out the attacks on academic freedom and the rise of white nationalist sentiments.
Bryant outlined four major demands for Target: to renew its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); support the establishment or partnerships with six HBCUs; ensure equal business opportunities for Black-owned products; and honor the original $2 billion pledge to the Black community.
Expressing a collaborative approach rather than a confrontational stance, Bryant said, “We do not come in the posture of beggars. We are extending our hand as partners.”
For community members like Steven Saunders, a board member of Rainbow PUSH, the stakes involved are both economic and moral.
“We are hoping to break the shackles on the African American community, the Hispanic community, women,” he declared. “We want equal rights. We want the ability to have employment, to have good healthcare, and right now, we need retailers to respect Black dollars.”
The gathering manifested a spirit of unity and collective moral awakening, as speakers called for solidarity rather than division.
A speaker illustrated this point by highlighting the colorblindness of bulls towards red flags: “The bull only attacks when it sees movement,” he cautioned, indicating that the community feels under attack for multiple reasons, not just race.
Demonstrators uplifted their hands and fists in prayer, seeking justice rather than destruction.
“History will record,” concluded Rev. Bryant, “that we did not come with bayonets. We did not come with rifles. We came with prayer.”
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