Democrats & Gays Attempt To Stifle First Amendment

The First Amendment guarantees free speech.  The Supreme Court ruled that businesses have the right to make campaign donations.  The socialist Democrats and gays are attempting to stifle the First Amendment rights of Target.  They are starting a boycott of Target because of a campaign contribution.

Target’s headquarters are in ST. Paul, MN.   They made a campaign contribution to a conservative Republican gubernatorial candidate.  Protesters have been rallying outside Target Corp. or its stores almost daily since the retailer made the contribution.

A national gay rights group is negotiating with Target officials, demanding that the firm balance the scale by making comparable donations to benefit candidates it favors. Meanwhile, the controversy is threatening to complicate Target's business plans in other urban markets. Several city officials in San Francisco, one of the cities where Target hopes to expand, have begun criticizing the company.

"Target is receiving criticism and frustration from their customers because they are doing something wrong, and that should serve absolutely as an example for other companies," said Ilyse Hogue, director of political advocacy for the socialist group MoveOn.org, which is pressing Target to formally renounce involvement in election campaigns.

Demonstrators gathered near Target's Minneapolis headquarters on Thursday, and two Facebook groups focused on gay rights are organizing protests at Target stores nationwide this weekend. Immigrant rights supporters have joined the protests, citing Emmer's tough stance on illegal immigration.

The company is in talks with the Human Rights Campaign, a national gay rights organization that wants Target and electronics retailer Best Buy Co., which gave $100,000 to the same group backing Emmer, to match their donations with equal amounts to help gay-friendly candidates.

Fred Sainz, the group's vice president for communications, said he is optimistic both companies will respond to the demand. Target has long cultivated a good relationship with the gay community in Minneapolis, and its gay employees have protested the donation.  "The repair has to be consistent with the harm that was done," Sainz said.

A Target spokeswoman said the company had nothing to add to chief executive Gregg Steinhafel's statement of apology last week. At Richfield Minn.-based Best Buy, a spokeswoman said the company is reviewing its process for political donations and intended the Minnesota contribution to focus "solely on jobs and an improved economy."

Why should Target or Best Buy have to apologize for making a contribution?  Are companies only allowed to make contributions to politicians whom the socialist MoveOn.org and gay groups approve?  This is a blatant attempt to stifle the First Amendment and a Supreme Court ruling.

Conservative organizations are likely to react harshly if Target makes significant concessions to the left-leaning groups.  All good conservatives need to support Target...liberals are after Target because they support a conservative.

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