Walmart announcement tells black people to leave store

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A Walmart store announcement ordering black people to leave brought chagrin and apologies Wednesday from leaders of the company.

A male voice came over the public-address system Sunday evening at a store in Washington Township, in southern New Jersey, and announced: "Attention, Walmart customers: All black people, leave the store now."

Shoppers in the store said a manager quickly got on the public-address system and apologized. It was unclear whether a rogue patron or an employee was responsible for the comment, but many customers expressed their anger to store management.

"I want to know why such statements are being made, because it flies in the face of what we teach our children about tolerance for all," said Sheila Ellington who was shopping with a friend.

Ellington, of Monroe, and her friend Patricia Covington said they plan to boycott the retailer until they're assured the issue has been addressed.

Officials with Wal-Mart Stores, based in Bentonville, Ark., said the announcement was "unacceptable" and they're trying to determine who made it and how it happened.

Bill Mitchell, a former Walmart employee who was shopping Wednesday at the store, said he was saddened to hear about the announcement but that, "As a black man, I've heard worse things."