Ad Blasts Wal-Mart, Implies Link To Terrorism

Ad Accuses Wal-Mart Of Funding Terrorism

NASHVILLE, Tenn.- A new national ad campaign by a Washington-based group claims it isn't patriotic to shop at the nation's largest retailer.

The controversial ad by Wake Up Wal-Mart suggests that Wal-Mart imports so many goods from China, it's costing hundreds of thousands of American jobs. The group also makes a strong claim about Wal-Mart and terrorism.

This is not a new claim. But in the group's new ad, a narrator said, "This is Afghanistan. China ships weapons to the terrorists in Afghanistan, weapons the terrorists use to attack out troops. So, before you think about shopping at Wal-Mart think about that."

The ad seems to make the statement that shopping at Wal-Mart means consumers are funding terrorism.

"No, that's not what the ad is about," said Wake-Up Wal-Mart spokesman Paul Blank.

Blank almost downplays the retailer's connection to terrorism in the ad.

Blank said bringing up a terrorism angle isn't a scare tactic.

"We're not making the direct connection between Wal-Mart and the terrorists in Afghanistan," Blank said. "What we are saying is, because Wal-Mart has this cozy relationship with China, American jobs are going overseas."

Several companies import goods from China so why does the Washington-based group single out Wal-Mart?

"It's not like any other company," Blank said "Wal-Mart is the No. 1 importer of Chinese goods in America. If Wal-Mart was its own country, it would be China's sixth largest trading partner."

In a statement, Wal-Mart officials said, "This ad is simply ridiculous. We are actually embarrassed for them. We find it absurd that they are wasting millions of dollars in union member dues in a sophomoric attempt at an issue ad for political gain. It is also offensive to our men and women currently serving in the military."

The union Wal-Mart officials are referring to is the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, which is also behind the ad. They represent more than 1 million workers nationwide.

The ads will run in the Midwest, in Nashville and in other southern cities over the next few days.