Chicago City Wire

Chicago radio host Dan Proft criticized calls for a “boycott” of Walmart following the company’s announced closure of four Chicago stores.

“Pfleger, et al., didn't want Walmart b/c it was non-union,” tweeted Proft, host of AM 560's Chicago Morning Answer. “Now they don't want Walmart to close stores b/c they like quality goods at low prices. But if Walmart closes stores, they aim to shut down the Walmarts that remain.”

“And they say, Chicago is a great place to do business.”

Walmart said the company’s decision was based on profitability.

“The simplest explanation is that collectively our Chicago stores have not been profitable since we opened the first one nearly 17 years ago – these stores lose tens of millions of dollars a year, and their annual losses nearly doubled in just the last five years,” said the company in a press release. “The remaining four Chicago stores continue to face the same business difficulties, but we think this decision gives us the best chance to help keep them open and serving the community.”

Pfleger called for a boycott during an April 13, 2023 press conference.

“Maybe Walmart should be on the X list and let them know we're not gonna continue to support a big, multi-billionaire business that disrespects the community over and over again,” said Pfleger. “So across the nation, we will continue to ask for a boycott of Walmart. If they're gonna walk out on us, we will walk out on them.”

Pfleger has been the pastor of St. Sabina Catholic Parish, located in Chicago’s Auburn Gresham Neighborhood since 1981. In 1996, Pfleger was briefly suspended by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin for inviting controversial Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan to speak at St. Sabina’s.

In 2021, Pfleger took a leave of absence from St. Sabina's following allegations of sexual abuse against a minor that reportedly occurred over 40 years ago. He was reinstated later that year. In October 2022, Pfleger against took leave after an additional sexual abuse allegation was made against him. 

During the press conference, Pfleger acknowledged his past opposition to Walmart locating in Chicago.

“Myself and Jeremiah Wright were two people that fought very hard from the Walmart coming in 17 years ago because of low wages,” he said.

Wright is a retired pastor who served as the senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago from 1972 until 2008. Wright gained national attention during the 2008 United States presidential campaign when some of his controversial sermons were reported in the media.

In May 2004 Chicago Tribute columnist Denise Byrne wrote about Pfleger’s opposition to Walmart locating in Chicago. 

“The fight over whether to allow a couple of $20 million Walmarts into Chicago with their 700 employees has reached such heights of absurdity that working for the retail chain now is being compared to slavery,” wrote Byrne. “There is the Rev. Michael Pfleger, pastor of St. Sabina Catholic Church, reportedly saying, ‘We've got to stop accepting crumbs as if it's the only thing we're meant to eat. A slave job is a slave job.’”

Walmart said all associates at the closed stores “are eligible to transfer to another Walmart location” and that those not transferring will be paid until August 11, 2023.

“The community has supported them (Walmart),” said Pfleger in his press conference this week. “But they have not supported the community."

Walmart, in its press statement, said “having an active role in the community is especially important to us.”

“We are proud of our neighborhood investments through local events like Christmas in the Wards, the Always Giving Back Foundation Bike Giveaway, ChiGives Back MLK Day, the Bud Billiken Day Parade and more. We will continue working with local organizations, creating solutions to challenges faced by the city and country, including racial inequity and food deserts.”