Bloggytown

        
Tweet

Email

Print
Share

Friday, May 25, 2018

Bloggytown

David Hogg calls on Publix to donate $1 million to the Stoneman Douglas Victims Fund

Posted By Colin Wolf on Fri, May 25, 2018 at 12:32 PM

click to enlarge

Photo via David Hogg/Twitter

Following a report from the Tampa Bay Times report that Publix has supported and continues to support self-described "proud NRA sellout" Adam Putnam to the tune of $670,000, school shooting survivor David Hogg is now calling on the grocer to also support the victims of last February's massacre in Parkland, Florida.

"I call on Publix to donate double the money they gave to Putman to the Stoneman Douglas Victims fund, $1,000,000. And never support an A rated NRA politician again," tweeted Hogg Thursday evening.

The Stoneman Douglas Victims Fund was set up to support the families, survivors and those impacted by the 17 students and teachers who were murdered with an assault-style rifle at Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school on February 14. So far, the fund has collected more than $8.7 million and will remain open until June 30.

I call on @Publix to donate double the money they gave to Putman to the Stoneman Douglas Victims fund, $1,000,000. And never support an A rated NRA politician again.
— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) May 24, 2018

Hogg's request comes before today's planned "die in" protests at Publix stores across the country beginning at 4 p.m, urging the Fortune 500 company to discontinue its unprecedented support of Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate Putnam, who has a long history of attempting to loosen Florida' already lax gun laws.

Leading up to today's protest, Hogg drew chalk outlined bodies at a Publix in Coral Springs this morning, which were later removed by custodial workers.

#PUBLIX #PROTESTS #NRA - @davidhogg111 @MichaelRajner and others are staging a "die-in" at the #CoralSprings @Publix - @CBSMiami chopper on scene. pic.twitter.com/KScCbEUI4n
— CBS4 Assignment Desk (@CBS4NEWSDESK) May 25, 2018

Since the Times report, Publix has not said whether or not they will discontinue support of Putnam, who as Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture removed failing Publix health inspections from the public website, and then changed the labeling from a failing grade to "re-inspection required."

The revelation of Putnam's apparent favoritism for the Lakeland-based grocer has drawn wide criticism, especially from Orlando lawmaker Carlos Guillermo Smith, who called his actions "pay to play."

"[Adam Putnam] is in charge of inspecting grocery stores. After 7 Publix stores FAILED health inspections for rat shit, bugs, meat at unsafe temps + more, Putnam pulled reports from his site + eliminated pass/fail system. We call that pay to play," argued Smith in a tweet.

Ag Comm @adamputnam is in charge of inspecting grocery stores. After 7 @Publix stores FAILED health inspections for rat shit, bugs, meat at unsafe temps + more, Putnam pulled reports from his site + eliminated pass/fail system. We call that pay to play. https://t.co/3ndjTBlV07
— Rep. Carlos G Smith (@CarlosGSmith) May 24, 2018

Stay on top of Orlando news and views. Sign up for our weekly Headlines newsletter.

Tags: David Hogg, NRA, Parkland, Publix, Adam Putnam, Carlos Smith, Image

We welcome readers to submit letters regarding articles and content in Orlando Weekly. Letters should be a minimum of 150 words, refer to content that has appeared on Orlando Weekly, and must include the writer's full name, address, and phone number for verification purposes. No attachments will be considered. Writers of letters selected for publication will be notified via email. Letters may be edited and shortened for space.

Email us at feedback@orlandoweekly.com.

Orlando Weekly works for you, and your support is essential.

Our small but mighty local team works tirelessly to bring you high-quality, uncensored news and cultural coverage of Central Florida.

Unlike many newspapers, ours is free – and we'd like to keep it that way, because we believe, now more than ever, everyone deserves access to accurate, independent coverage of their community.

Whether it's a one-time acknowledgement of this article or an ongoing pledge, your support helps keep Orlando’s true free press free.