Wal-Movie

Wal-Movie

Whatever you think about Wal-Mart, you have to acknowledge its incredible power in the U.S. and global economic structure. The world's largest retailer and one of the world's largest employers - directly and indirectly via contractors - has a huge influence even on the lives of people who don't shop there.

Thus the new documentary "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price" is worth a viewing.

During "Premiere Week," Nov. 13-19, you can sign up to host a screening. Or if you don't feel comfortable with that, there are already a number of sites in the St. Louis area planning to host a viewing. The DVD is for sale, too.

Among the local churches, schools and community groups hosting public screenings, several are close to a Wal-Mart store!

(Per the Wal-Mart Movie Screening Locator + Walmart.com):

November 13, 2005
10:00 AM
Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel Congregation
1107 E. Linden Ave.
Richmond Heights, MO
Located about 1.5 miles northwest of Store #5150 - Maplewood Commons Wal-Mart (yes, this link is to the pro-Wal-Mart propaganda web site).

November 13, 2005
5:30 PM
Christ Church UCC (United Church of Christ)
7126 Bruno Ave.
(at Bellevue Ave. - on #16 City Limits MetroBus)
Maplewood, MO
Located one mile east of the Maplewood Commons store.

November 14, 2005
6:00 PM
Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Motherhouse
6400 Minnesota Ave.
(the only public screening listed in the City of St. Louis. One block from #52 Clayton-South County MetroBus; two blocks from #40 Broadway)
Located about 5 miles north of the "St. Louis" Wal-Mart (Telegraph at I-255 in South County). Seriously, this is the only Wal-Mart with a St. Louis address - all others identify themselves by the name of the suburb or town where they are located. This one, since it's in unincorporated South County, calls itself "your St. Louis Wal-Mart." Uh, sure, that's St. Louis. Even though the stores in Granite City, Cahokia and of course Maplewood are much closer to the actual city limits.

November 18, 2005
7:00 PM
St. Charles Justice Center
1781 Zumbehl Rd.
(sponsored by Mid-Rivers Ethical Society)
Located about one mile south of the St. Charles Wal-Mart store at 2897 Veterans Memorial Parkway.

There are also a couple showings planned by student groups at WashU - whose Red Line shuttle bus now serves the Maplewood Commons Wal-Mart directly - and one at the Ethical Society of St. Louis, and probably a couple other locations too.