With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Target Apologizes Over Donation to Anti-Gay Candidate, Some Still Angry
Photo by Chris-Gonzales90 via Flickr
()
Photo by Chris-Gonzales90 via Flickr
Following uproar over a large donation from Target to a anti-gay Minnesota candidate this month, CEO Gregg Steinhafel apologized Thursday to employees. He said the $150,000 donation was meant to be for Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer's business stance, not his anti-gay one.
"While I firmly believe that a business climate conducive to growth is critical to our future, I realize our decision affected many of you in a way I did not anticipate, and for that I am genuinely sorry," Steinhafel wrote, according to the Associated Press.
But that hasn't satisfied everyone, including West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman."... despite your claim that you were supporting a pro-business candidate, opposition to equality for any group in our society is ultimately anti-business," he wrote in a letter. Heilman suggested Target adopt a review policy on donations, which Steinhafel said will happen.
Support for LAist comes from
MoveOn.org on Friday staged protests outside Target stores on Friday and say they have a petition signed by 250,000 people who are boycotting the retailer, reported CNN. They believe Target, which is one of the first companies to take advantage of a recent Supreme Court ruling, is trying to buy the election.
Target's donation was made to MN Forward, which is airing ads for Emmer, who says his campaign is about job creation.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places. -
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures. -
It will be the second national day of protest against President Donald Trump. -
The university says the compact, as the Trump administration called it, could undermine free inquiry and academic excellence. -
This is the one time you can do this legally! -
Metro officials said it will be able to announce an opening date “soon.”
Best of LAist