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This letter comes to AFA from a citizen in Berryville, Arkansas.

Last summer, construction started in the Wal-mart parking lot in Berryville, AR. Being curious, I inquired of the store manager of Wal-mart, and found out that it was going to be a Movie Gallery.

I expressed my concern to the manager. When it opened, I went in to check to see if there were objectionable videos.

Sure enough, there was a full row of adult videos. I went back to the store manager in Wal-mart. He said he would talk to the district manager.

The next morning I went to city hall, to check on any ordinances prohibiting these videos. There were none. I went to another local video store. I told them what I was looking for, and was trying to get the nasty videos out of Movie Gallery and was willing to go public with a boycott if necessary. I asked if they had any. They said yes, and were willing to remove them. They were gone the next day!

Then I went back to the store manager of Wal-mart, and he said the district manager was going to contact the regional manager. The store manager encouraged me to contact the home office.

I called, and then decided to call the American Family Association.

Randy Sharp said to give Wal-mart one week, to get back to us. I did, but they did not return my call. I called again, and was referred to the Real Estate department.

I told them Wal-mart was not being a good neighbor, as their commercials state. Paul Harvey is always saying that when you have a Wal-mart near you, you couldn't have a better neighbor. So I was holding Wal-mart responsible for this. They said that the property was sold and out of the realm of their authority.

I told them I still felt that they were responsible, since they sold the property in their parking lot. Also I stated this was a reflection on Wal-mart, since most people would think that Wal-mart owned the property. They said they would call me back with an answer, but I probabaly wouldn't like it.

I was shocked when they called back within 2 hours, and said that they agreed with my position 100% and were sending a certified letter to the owner of the property, who leased to Movie Gallery. There was specific wording in the sale contract, prohibiting the rental or sale of adult use material. So, he was in default of the purchase agreement, and must have Movie Gallery remove the offending videos immediately.

WOW! I am thrilled.

Sincerely,
(name withheld)

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