Activists Blackmail Retailers, Says Industry

Industry

Activists Blackmail Retailers, Says Industry

ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 10, 2006 (VNS) – Activists are currently engaged in a coordinated and “vicious” campaign to blackmail retailers to force them to stop selling popular products that consumers want – but activists don’t want them to buy, according to a major trade association.

The blackmail consists of months-long harassment of retailers and demands that they sign agreements not to sell certain products, under threat of demonstrations, interference with customers, and ongoing disruption of their business, according to Allen Blakey, spokesman for the Arlington, Va. - based Vinyl Institute.

He cited a so-called “National Day of Action” Wednesday October 11 against Target stores for selling products made of vinyl, one of the most popular lines of home products for do-it-yourselfers.

“Activists lie to consumers and retailers about the products,” said Blakey. “They try to intimidate retailers and consumers with the Big Lie - false, outdated and misleading information about alleged health effects that simply are not true.”

In a letter to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Vinyl Institute President Tim Burns said the activists’ false claims are intended to deprive consumers of choice. “Target should be applauded for putting its customers’ interests above untruthful, bullying threats from people with an ideological agenda.”

Burns noted that numerous government agencies such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission have confirmed that vinyl products are safe and effective for their many intended uses, from toys and shower curtains to windows, floors, walls and siding.

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