When Walmart comes to town, local retailers that are unable to keep up with the mega-chain’s prices tend to wilt in its presence, creating what critics say is a negative ripple effect throughout the community. A group of community activists who fear Walmart will rob Washington, D.C. of its character stormed Walmart in a cheerful flash mob, imploring the company to meet with community leaders and agree in writing to improve the neighborhood and pay customers decent wages.

NBC Washington reports the group stormed a Laurel, Md. Walmart and staged a reworded rendition of Aretha Franklin’s “Respect.”

Here’s the video of the performance:

Laurel Walmart Flashmobbed by Activists [NBC Washington]
(Thanks, Mark!)

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