The recent closing of a Walgreens in the Boston area is linked to racism, Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) said earlier this week.
The member of the far-left “Squad” of congressional Democrats accused the Illinois-based company of engaging in a “life-threatening act of racial and economic discrimination” for its decision to close a pharmacy in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, a predominantly minority area. community.
“Walgreens plans to close another pharmacy on Massachusetts 7th. This time on Warren Street in Roxbury, a community that is 85% black and Latino,” Pressley said during a speech on the House floor Tuesday.
The 49-year-old lawmaker called the closure “part of a broader trend of abandonment of low-income communities,” pointing to previous closures of Walgreens stores in her district.
“When a Walgreens leaves a neighborhood, it disrupts the entire community, taking with it baby formula, diapers, asthma inhalers, life-saving medications and, of course, jobs,” Pressley continued.
“These closures are not arbitrary or innocent. “They are acts of racial and economic discrimination that endanger lives,” he stated.
Pressley accused Walgreens of “life-threatening acts of racial and economic discrimination” after it closed stores in her district. AP
Retailers have reported increasing levels of theft in recent years. REUTERS
Backed by her fellow state Democrats, Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, Pressley said Massachusetts lawmakers are “demanding answers” from the company about its decision to close its Roxbury business.
“Roxbury’s closure was due to several factors, including the cost of operation, low prescription volume and low reimbursement rates,” a Walgreens corporate spokesperson told the Post, calling the decision to close the store “difficult.” “but necessary” as a result of the current situation. operating environment and our financial performance.”
The company spokesperson noted that Walgreens is “committed to health equity,” noting that about half of the company’s stores in the Boston area are located in neighborhoods that have been “traditionally underserved.”
Walgreens said it delayed the Roxbury closure by two weeks and is working on “transportation solutions” for customers and offering them free same-day delivery for the next three months.
“We look forward to working with elected officials, community leaders and others to address the barriers that make it difficult for us to operate pharmacies in various communities across the country,” the spokesperson said.
Walgreens did not specifically mention crime or retail theft as a reason for Roxbury’s closure, but viral videos of thieves looting the company’s stores across the country have raised suspicions on social media.
“Maybe tell your friends to stop shoplifting and Walgreens won’t leave the neighborhood,” Kevin Smith, host of the “Loud Majority Live” podcast, tweeted in response to Pressley’s comments.
“Maybe we should defund the police a little more. Yeah, yeah, that’ll probably help.” Patrick Byrne, former president and CEO of Overstock.com, wrote in X.
“Okay @RepPressley, pass the hat, raise money and put a store in the Walgreens location. Let’s see how the race card works when people rob you,” conservative radio host Larry Elder said in an X post.
The National Retail Federation has blamed “unprecedented levels” of theft for rising shrink rates (the industry term for lost inventory) at retailers across the country.
The trade group’s most recent study found that loss rates rose to 1.6% in fiscal 2022, up from 1.4% the year before, equivalent to $112.1 billion in losses.
In her speech, Pressley said Walgreens’ “talking points about health equity and underserved communities are not enough.”
“Walgreens is a multi-billion dollar corporation that needs to put its money where its mouth is and stop disinvesting in black and brown communities,” he added.
“Shame on you, Walgreens.”
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Source: vtt.edu.vn