Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is worried that Walmart might leave the Windy City in the wake of widespread looting and destruction connected to George Floyd protests.
A local radio station reported on a conference call between the Democratic mayor and business leaders affected by the chaos. WBBM’s Craig Dellimore said she “pleaded” with the company to stay.
Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer, was cautious about making any new commitments to the city as it assesses the damage.
“I think in the case of Walmart, what they were focused on was assessing the damage,” Ms. Lightfoot said, the station reported June 4. “They are doing an effort to donate fresh produce, to the extent of what’s left so it doesn’t perish, and other perishables, and they are taking their time, as I would expect. My hope is that they will come back.”
The mayor’s comments come as Chicago’s citizens attempt to deal with new food deserts across the South Side.
Locals told a CBS affiliate that unrest worse than looting may follow if the city doesn’t address the problem.
“If you have people that are hungry, that are quite angry already, that could escalate to something more disastrous,” an activist told reporter Marissa Parra on June 5.
Protests have gripped the nation since late May when Mr. Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died during an arrest by former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin and colleagues Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao.
Mr. Chauvin was subsequently arrested and charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter. The others face charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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