Labor and community groups in Los Angeles are gearing up for a fight against the world’s largest retailer. The Making Change at Walmart coalition says it’s calling on the community to come out in force on June 30 to oppose plans to open a Walmart in historic Chinatown. It says the proposed market would bring in low-paying jobs and hurt small businesses in the area. But supporters of the store say they’ve been asking for a Walmart for many years. They say the union-led opposition are outside agitators who don’t represent the community.
Pacifica KPFK’s Ernesto Arce met with both sides. He files this report from Los Angeles.