Protestors opposed to Donald Trump in New York today called on retail giant Walmart to follow other major companies and stay away from the Republican Party convention this month.
"Stop hate, dump Trump!" dozens of protesters shouted outside the gold-colored Trump Tower building on Fifth Avenue, alluding to Trump's history of controversial comments that critics view as racist, xenophobic and sexist.
"Are Walmart's values the same as Donald Trump's values?" they said.
Protesters urged the retailer to follow the example of other major companies that have decided to refrain from sponsoring activities and events at the Republican Convention in Cleveland, Ohio on July 18-21, at which Trump is expected to be nominated for US president.
Companies reportedly avoiding the event include Apple, Wells Fargo, UPS and Ford.
"Others have pulled out of the convention to contest the Trump agenda," said Audrey Sasson of the group Walmart-Free NYC.
"We are asking why Walmart is not doing the same and asking whether we should assume they share his agenda. If they don't do anything, we are going to continue with the pressure."
The New York protest was launched in tandem with events in Chicago, Washington and San Francisco by the labor union-backed group Making Change at Walmart, which criticizes the world's largest retailer over low pay.
A Wal-Mart spokesman said the company was donating $15,000 to both the Republican event in Cleveland and the Democratic convention on Philadelphia. The company is not taking a position on the election.
"We believe it's important to be involved in the political process and we'll let the voters determine what's in the best interest of the country," said Wal-Mart spokesman Greg Hitt.
