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AFA ActivismAction Alert - 01/15/02
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Criticizing retailers who have “chosen to do next to nothing,” the Federal Trade Commission endorsed boycotting as a way to hold businesses accountable for marketing and selling sex, violence and pornography to children. In a December 2001 Report To Congress, the FTC said, “…parents and the general public – must persuade…retailers to change their behavior to solve the problem…”
A detailed report by the FCC, obtained by AFA, listed the Kmart company among those selling violent and profane video games to children during a “mystery shopper” survey. In August, 2001, a young girl was allowed to purchase “Southpark” without being questioned about her age. The video game clearly carried an “M” (Mature) rating, designating it for adults only. In Eklhart, Indiana, a 13-year-old purchased “Siphon Filter II,” rated “M” for extreme violence.
Don Wildmon, president of American Family Association (AFA), said a video game rating of “M” is equivolent to the “X” rating of pornography. AFA called for a boycott of Kmart in August, 2001, after the company refused requests to stop selling violent and profane music (see an edited sample). “Now we learn Kmart is selling our kids violent video games,” he said.
Wildmon said the boycott of Kmart is simply fulfilling the commission’s recommendation. “Kmart is the nation’s largest retailer that sells explicit music and violent videos to our children. We’ll persuade them with our wallets and pocketbooks,” he said. “We’ve been saying for decades, retailers should be held responsible for their actions. Now, a branch of the federal government is saying we’ve been right all along,” Wildmon added.
The FTC report showed children, ages 13-16, were successful in purchasing music containing a “Parental Advisory” sticker in 90 percent of attempts at retail and record stores. Regarding violent video games, the success rate was 78% for “M” rated games. Wildmon said Kmart’s track record is no better. “We conducted our own shopper survey in Kmart stores and produced the same results. We have proved, and the government has proved, Kmart’s self-regulation policy is a farce.”
Wildmon said AFA will continue to promote the boycott of Kmart until they stop selling sexual, violent, and profanity-laced music and video games totally.
ACTION NEEDED
1) Make a toll-free call to Kmart at their customer care desk (1-866-562-7848) and tell them, in a kind way, that you will not shop at their stores until they change their policy, and that you plan to tell your friends about Kmart's involvement with pornographic and violent music.2) Call your local Kmart and give the manager the same message.
Kmart contact information:
Kmart Corporation
Chairman Julian Day
3100 W. Big Beaver Rd.
Troy, MI 48084
Customer Care Desk: (toll free) 1-866-562-7848
Main Phone: 248-463-1000
Fax: 248-463-5636
Email: Chairman Day
Recent Articles:
Kmart manager: “People like you are ignorant.”
Avoid Kmart stores this Christmas - A personal letter from Don Wildmon
Kmart: promises broken
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