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Publix suspends corporate funded political contributions after community backlash

Protests include a Twitter boycott and a "die-in"
Posted at 4:59 PM, May 25, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-25 23:20:28-04

Publix has suspended their corporate-funded political contributions after people began to boycott the company for supporting a candidate who is an avid NRA supporter.  

The company received backlash after they donated $670,000 to Republican candidate Adam Putnam.

Related: Boycott against Publix taking off on Twitter after political contributions

Twitter users were posting their receipts from other stores to show they were shopping else where.  They included the hashtags "Boycott Publix" and "Tweet The Receipt" with their receipt photos. 

David Hogg, who survived the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting, organized a "die-in" which took place Friday at 4 p.m. at two Publix locations. The "die-in" lasted for 12 minutes. 

"We respect the students and members of the community who have chosen to express their voices on these issues," the company said. 

Hogg was seen early Friday morning at the Publix locations of the planned die-in where he drew 17 chalk outlines of bodies to represent the students killed during the February 14 massacre. 

Publix said in full: 

“We regret that our contributions have led to a divide in our community. We did not intend to put our associates and the customers they serve in the middle of a political debate.  At the same time, we remain committed to maintaining a welcoming shopping environment for our customers.  
We would never knowingly disappoint our customers or the communities we serve. As a result, we decided earlier this week to suspend corporate-funded political contributions as we reevaluate our giving processes.”