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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Wal-Mart is criticizing a "conscience protection" bill in the retail giant's home state of Arkansas that opponents say would sanction discrimination against gays and lesbians.
A spokesman for the Bentonville-based company said Tuesday the bill pending before a Senate panel that would prohibit state and local governments from imposing a "substantial burden" on someone's religious beliefs sends the wrong message about Arkansas and runs counter to the company's core beliefs.
The statement comes a day after Wal-Mart criticized for identical reasons a measure barring local governments from expanding anti-discrimination ordinances to include sexual orientation or gender identity. Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who allowed that measure to become law without his signature, expressed reservations about the "conscience protection" bill.
Opponents of both measures had urged Wal-Mart to speak out against the legislation.
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