A Walmart in Providence, Rhode Island is facing backlash after putting one of its Black employees in a makeshift cage to raise money for children.
The Walmart location was reportedly holding a fundraiser for Hasbro Children’s Miracle Network when it decided to display a Black man in a cage with a sign that read “I’m in jail!!! I need bail!!! Help me raise $50 to get out!!”
“All donations going to Hasbro Children’s Miracle Network,” the sign added.
A photo of the display was widely circulated and criticized on social media.
Angela Boateng, a member of the Rhode Island Foundation’s Equity Leadership Initiative, said she was “perplexed” by the fundraiser when she spotted it in the middle of the store.
“As I was exiting that Walmart on Silver Spring, I noticed this cage, and I felt like I saw somebody and I went closer … and I’m like, is there a young male in the cage?” Boateng told the Providence Journal. “I just did not understand what was happening, but I was mortified. And as I went closer to read what was on the cage, I don’t know really what came over me. I was just deeply offended.”
Boateng also expressed concern that the cage was displayed amid Juneteenth.
"Walmart and Hasbro [Hospital] need to acknowledge their actions,” Boateng said. “They need to apologize and let the community know what active steps they’re taking to ensure this doesn’t happen again. And I think that they just need to come public with it.”
The incident has sparked demands for accountability from The Black Lives Matter Rhode Island Political Action Committee.
“Walmart must actively demonstrate its commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace culture by engaging in meaningful dialogue with community leaders, activists, and organizations dedicated to combating racial disparities," the PAC said in a statement. “Implementing comprehensive diversity and sensitivity training programs for all employees is crucial in this process.”
Joe Pennington, a Walmart Corporation spokesman, confirmed that the location was participating in the Children's Miracle Network Hospital fundraiser but said the display was against store policy.
“The ‘jail’ fundraiser goes against company policy and should never be used,” Pennington said. “We are reinforcing this with our stores in the area, and this display has been removed from our Providence location.”
Sarah Lyons, a spokeswoman for Lifespan Health System, said the company was unaware that the fundraiser was being held at the local store.
“As a partner of the Children’s Miracle Network, Walmart has been a great supporter and partner of Hasbro Children’s Hospital and we are very appreciative,” Lyons told the Journal. “We were not aware of this particular fundraiser held as part of the Children’s Miracle Network campaign and have spoken with both the Children’s Miracle Network and the local store about fundraising alternatives moving forward.”
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