By Jesse Russell

Nearly 2000 teachers, students and community leaders throughout the country gathered at schools yesterday to bring attention to what they call Wal-Mart's failing record. Led by the organization WakeUpWalmart rallies were held in 20 states and 30 cities. One such rally was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at Hawley Elementary School. The United Food and Commercial Workers were joined by the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and various community groups. Peter Blewett is a member of the Milwaukee Public Schools Board of Directors; he explains why holding Wal-Mart responsible is important for his school system:

[Blewett1]: Wal-Mart is famous for putting small businesses, family owned businesses out of business. They also don't pay their employees living wages, they don't provide healthcare. We make up for that in our taxes and that takes away money for local schools. They don't invest local communities and that hurts local communities.

Blewett says there is also an issue with members of the Walton family dumping money into local level school board campaigns to help elect candidates that support privatization.

[Blewett2]: I want to talk about public education; I want to talk about issues with public education. Wal-Mart comes in, their ready to do a smear campaign spending their millions of dollars of profit to support the movement for privatizing schools and that has a direct affect and that's pushed up the price of school board elections.