Occupy Lowe’s
Lowe’s and other major companies have pulled their advertising from a muslim reality show after bigots complained… now it’s time to fight back. In the early part of 2011, the Egyptian citizens stood in solidarity with the American protests, including those against Wisconsin’s Governor Scott Walker, as well as in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street. Let us now, as Americans and World Citizens, stand with our American Muslim compatriots. It doesn’t matter if you are Muslim, Atheist, Jewish, Christian, Pagan, or any type of person – we all stand to lose when even one group is allowed to be scapegoated and villified out of bigotry and hate.
The Florida Family Association has shown us, through their intolerant protests against the TLC show All-American Muslim, how very effective Occupying the Media can be. We have that power too – it’s time to use it to defend and fight for equality, fairness and justice for all.
History of the Attack on the All-American Muslim Show
Update: Monday 12/25/11:
Update: Monday 12/22/11:
Update: Monday 12/20/11:
Update: Monday 12/19/11:
Update: Saturday 12/17/11:
Update: Friday 12/16/11:
Update: Thursday 12/15/11:
- RSN: Lowe’s in Facebook hell as racist comments pile up
- Jon Stewart Daily Show Lowe’s Balls of the Week
- TPM Muckraker: Right Wing Rallies around Lowe’s for not giving in
Update: Wednesday 12/14/11:
Update: Tuesday 12/13/11:
- Jon Stewart on TLC’s Disappointingly Terror-Free All American Muslim
- Dem Rep Connecticut: “This is a major American company rubberstamping basic, foundational bigotry”
- The Root: Simmons Buys Ads for ‘All-American Muslim’
- OccupyCyberspace: Anonymous Shuts Down the Florida Family Association Website
- ThinkProgress: Lowe’s Anti-Muslim Stance Prompts Calls For Boycott, Sparks Fury From Lawmakers
- Muslim Public Affairs Council: Action Alert: Stop Bigots From Pressuring Advertisers For TLC’s ‘All-American Muslim’ (Full List of Companies that pulled their ads)
Update: Monday 12/12/11:
From The Rachel Maddow Show, Monday 12/12/2011: “Today in America, simply existing as Muslim is enough to create a “hot bed of discussion”.
Click to see Buzzfeed’s 25 Dumbest Comments On Lowe’s Facebook Page About “All-American Muslim”
Yahoo: Backlash for Lowe’s as ads pulled from Muslim show
Calling the Lowe’s decision “un-American” and “naked religious bigotry,” Sen. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, told The Associated Press he would also consider legislative action if Lowe’s doesn’t apologize to Muslims and reinstate its ads. The senator sent a letter outlining his complaints to Lowe’s Chief Executive Officer Robert A. Niblock.
“The show is about what it’s like to be a Muslim in America, and it touches on the discrimination they sometimes face. And that kind of discrimination is exactly what’s happening here with Lowe’s,” Lieu said.
From Gawker: Lowe’s Pulls Advertising from Muslim Reality Show After Bigots Complain:
The reason given?
“The conservative Florida Family Association in a statement said it has sent three email alerts, encouraging supporters to email advertisers on the show. “All-American Muslim is propaganda that riskily hides the Islamic agenda’s clear and present danger to American liberties and traditional values,” it said.
On its Web site, the Association posted an email from a Lowe’s representative saying: “While we continue to advertise on various cable networks, including TLC, there are certain programs that do not meet Lowe’s advertising guidelines, including the show you brought to our attention. Lowe’s will no longer be advertising on that program.”
From Think Progress: Lowe’s, Bank Of America, And Others Pull Ads From Muslim Reality TV Show After Pressure:
The Florida Family Association (FFA) launched a campaign earlier this year to get companies to pull their advertising from the program. FFA claims that 65 of the 67 companies targeted have done this, including home improvement giant Lowe’s and megabank Bank of America:
The Florida Family Association, a Tampa Bay group, has led a campaign urging companies to pull ads on “All-American Muslim.” The FFA contends that 65 of 67 companies it has targeted have pulled their ads, including Bank of America, the Campbell Soup Co., Dell, Estee Lauder, General Motors, Goodyear, Green Mountain Coffee, McDonalds, Sears, and Wal-Mart.
One of the companies that FFA claims pulled commercials, Amway, told the Washington Post that such reports were “misleading” and that it has done no such thing. Lowe’s told the paper that it did indeed pull advertising. “We understand the program raised concerns, complaints, or issues from multiple sides of the viewer spectrum, which we found after doing research of news articles and blogs covering the show,” said Katie Cody, a spokeswoman for Lowe’s.
From CNN – Lowe’s pulls advertising from TLC’s ‘All-American Muslim’:
“This is NOT about standing up for All-American Muslim – This is about Standing Up Against Bigotry and Hatred in this Country Founded on Peace, Justice, and Equality. Let’s Stand United against Bigotry,” Amen-McDermott wrote.
Take Action Now: Sign the MoveOn.org Petition, and CREDO Petition Now!
Not everyone can make it to an occupy event in person, but with the internet, anyone can Occupy the Media. You can do this anywhere, anytime. You don’t need to spend a dime in gas or supplies, and you can’t get evicted. No getting pepper-sprayed, no police violence nor arrests. Even if you are at an occupation right now, you can also Occupy the Media right there if there is internet access – two occupations at the same time doubles your voice. The result often returns quickly in the favor of whomever is the most motivated and persistent, so lift your voices high and just Keep ON Doing It! All you need to do is just send an email or make a phone call – that’s it.
The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) has already launched a website for those who are willing to Take Action Against Bigotry & Hate.
One of the primary goals of Occupy Your Local Media is to raise our voices in protest to social injustice and we see the withdrawal of advertisement support of All-American Muslim on TLC as a brazen sign of hatred, fear, and caving to bigotry. We strongly urge you to send a peaceful message about tolerance to Lowe’s for pulling their advertising. Below is their contact information as well as some of the other companies who have also pulled their advertisements thanks to the bigotry of Florida Family Association.
Talking Points excerpt / script suggestion from ICNA:
“I am calling to complain regarding Lowe’s decision to pull advertising from TLC’s All-American Muslim. The defamatory remarks made regarding this show are false and hateful towards our community. By caving to Islamophobes, Lowe’s is essentially supporting and disseminating negative stereotypes about American Muslims.
This show is neither ‘propaganda’ nor a ‘clear and present danger to the liberties and traditional values’ of Americans. As Americans we value tolerance, understanding and coexistence, all of which are cultivated through All-American Muslim. What portion of Lowe’s advertising guidelines is adverse to these ideals?
I will not support a corporation that panders to bigotry and the demands of hate groups. I strongly urge you to reconsider your decision and reinstate advertising for All-American Muslim.”
| Contact Lowe’s
Lowe’s on Twitter |
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| Bank of America |  |
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From ContactHelp: Phone: 800-432-1000 How to reach a live person: Speak, “Talk to an associate” when recording begins. Then, listen to the options and speak the department name you would like. If asked to speak a specific reason you are calling, just mumble. You will then be transferred to a live person. |
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| Campbell Soup Co. | |
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From Campbell – Contact Us: If you wish to contact us by phone during business hours, please call us toll free at 1-800-257-8443, Monday – Friday 9AM to 7PM EST. You can also write us a letter at our mailing address:Campbell Soup Company, 1 Campbell Place Camden, NJ 08103-1701 |
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| Dell | |
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From ContactHelp: Phone: 800-624-9897 How to reach a live person: Press 5 for customer service Hours of Operation: Mon-Sat: 8am-9pm CT Sun: 10am-7pm CT |
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| Estée Lauder | |
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From ContactHelp: Phone: 877-311-3883 How to reach a live person: Press 1 for English Press 1 |
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| General Motors | |
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From GM Contact Page: Mailing Address: General Motors Company P.O. Box 33170 Detroit, MI 48232-5170 |
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| Goodyear | |
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From Goodyear Help Center: Goodyear Customer Assistance Center: 1-800-321-2136. Monday – Friday 8:30a.m. – 5:00p.m. ET. |
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| Green Mountain Coffee | |
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From Green Mountain Coffee: Call us: 888-879-4627 For Customer Service Inquiries (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm EST): 866-639-2326 |
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| McDonald’s | |
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From McDonald’s Contact Us: PHONE 1-800-244-6227 7 days a week 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CST MAIL: McDonald’s Corporation, 2111 McDonald’s Dr., Oak Brook, IL 60523 |
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| Sears | |
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From Sears.com: PHONE: Sears Stores 1-800-549-4505 Sears.com 1-800-697-3277 |
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| Walmart | |
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From ContactHelp: Phone: 800-925-6278 How to reach a live person: Press 2 at first prompt Press 1 at second prompt Press 1 at third prompt Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri: 7am – 9pm Sat: 9am – 9pm Sun 12pm – 6pm All time are CST |
You can also send a message of support to TLC.
| Contact TLC |  |
Occupy Your Local Media 
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