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The
Rev. Jamal Bryant said this week that the Minneapolis-based
retailer has not met all of the boycott effort's demands. Among
them: Restoring its commitment to diversity, equity and
inclusion principles and pledging money to Black-owned banks and
businesses.
Target announced in January that it would phase out a handful of
DEI initiatives, including a program designed to help Black
employees build meaningful careers and promote Black-owned
businesses. Conservative activists and President Donald Trump
have sought to dismantle DEI policies in the federal government
and schools.
Bryant is the pastor of one of the South’s largest churches, New
Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia, just
outside Atlanta. The 40-day “fast” of Target stores coincided
with the beginning of Lent on March 5, and other faith leaders
endorsed the protest.
“Until Target comes to the table with serious, concrete
proposals to meet our four demands, we will remain in this
posture,” Bryant said on a website dedicated to the boycott
effort.
“Silence and delay are no longer acceptable,” he added. “Our
communities deserve action, not platitudes. Our demands are not
radical — they are righteous, reasonable, and long overdue.”
In a statement Wednesday, Target said, “we have an ongoing
commitment to creating a welcoming environment for all team
members, guests, and suppliers.”
“It’s core to how we support and grow our business,” the company
said. “We remain focused on supporting organizations and
creating opportunities for people in the 2,000 communities where
we live and operate.”
Target operates nearly 2,000 stores nationwide and employs more
than 400,000 people.
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