Discount retail giant Walmart found itself in hot water this week after keyboard warriors discovered the retailer selling “All Lives Matter” t-shirts on its website. Once word got out, Walmart was hit with a swift and vicious onslaught of hate and harassment on social media.
Walmart Faces Backlash Over ‘All Lives Matter’ Shirts
TMZ reported that the backlash against Walmart erupted on social media on Tuesday, when users discovered that Walmart Canada was selling a black “All Lives Matter” t-shirt along with a few other ‘_______ Lives Matter’ slogans.
It didn’t take long for the situation to explode, as an onslaught of social media users called Walmart out:
Hey, @Walmart @WalmartCanada can you explain why you’re selling “All Lives Matter” and “Blue Lives Matter” shirts on your website? Who approved this?
Remove these now. You should be ashamed.#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/PxTt1t3Vds
— Beth MacDonnell (@bethmacdonnell) June 23, 2020
Are you kidding me @WalmartCanada???
Disgusting. Do better. https://t.co/xKiE82NAWi— Kate Udle (@KateUdle) June 23, 2020
@WalmartCanada It was brought to my attention that this tee is being sold in your stores online. This screams an utter disrespect to Black Live Matters. Where is your social responsibility? All lives matter cannot happen until Black lives do! Pls remove! https://t.co/5aOaRwdY4Z
— Dee (@Hoots05) June 23, 2020
Hey @WalmartCanada what’s with the ‘All Lives Matter’ t-shirt on your online store?
I’m not surprised you’re taking advantage of the current moment to turn a profit, I’m just surprised WHO you’re trying to attract into your stores. But perhaps that’s just my naïvety.#Walmart https://t.co/8GdZJDScrp
— Dylan Day (@Dylan__Day) June 23, 2020
Absolutely ridiculous. Can I get an explanation? Have you not been paying attention to what is happening in society and the racist roots of “All Lives Matter” @Walmart @WalmartCanada @WalmartInc https://t.co/Fug5zK2Hc1
— DeRico Symonds (@DericoSymonds) June 24, 2020
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Walmart Canada Responds
Walmart Canada responded by trying to deflect blame, instead saying a third party seller was selling the shirts.
“This item is sold and shipped by a third party seller,” the company said in a statement. We’ve forwarded your comments to the appropriate department to look into further. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.”
However, this did nothing to stop the backlash, so Walmart later released a lengthier statement.
Walmart’s U.S. Website Sells ‘All Lives Matter’ Shirts as well
It has since been reported that Walmart’s U.S. website sells All Lives Matter shirts as well through a company called Old Glory.
Another third party brand called Trendy USA sells counterpoint “All Lives Matter?” t-shirts that include the tagline, “If All Lives Really Mattered To You, We Wouldn’t Be Protesting. BlackLivesMatter.”
Who would have thought the simple phrase “all lives matter” would become so controversial?!
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