Protestors rally at Southfield Sam’s Club over Walmart’s DEI rollback

Protestors rallied on Tuesday at Sam’s Club in Southfield to speak out against Walmart’s choice to end its diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, programs. A group of activists stood outside the store entrance hoisting signs and voicing chants. They talked to shoppers and asked them to support other stores that stand for “fairness and equality.”

Sam’s Club is a chain of membership-only warehouse club retail stores in the United States owned by Walmart. The Associated Press reported last November that Walmart was “rolling back its diversity, equity and inclusion policies.”

“Now, we will see if Walmart is equally committed to racism,” Erik Shelley, a Michigan United spokesperson, said. He added that the effort is part of the social action group’s “Week of Resistance for Juneteenth.”

Juneteenth is a holiday that celebrates the end of slavery in a section of the United States. It recognizes June 19, 1865 when enslaved people in Texas were told they were free, more than two years after then-President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation that sought to end slavery. Former U.S. President Joe Biden signed legislation in 2021 that made Juneteenth a federal holiday. It was first celebrated last year as an official state holiday in Michigan.

Michigan United worked with groups like Oakland Forward, Black Women’s Roundtable, and the Detroit Council of Baptist Pastors. Together, they have planned a week of action to stand up for civil rights.

During the week, Michigan United lifted up what it calls  “Buycott,” which means asking people to shop at Black-owned businesses instead of big companies like Walmart that are not supporting DEI. Protestors gave out lists and QR codes to help people find new places to shop.

The “Week of Resistance” will end with a cookout on Saturday, June 21 at Inkster Park, beginning at 11 a.m. There will be music from DJ Too Cool Thomas, games, dancing, and food offerings including barbecue, greens, and Jollof rice. Organizers say it’s a way to celebrate Juneteenth and bring the community together.