Faith leaders' letter condemns Young for Wal-Mart role

<p>Dozens of faith leaders from across the country have signed a letter condemning former civil rights leader Andrew Young for representing Wal-Mart, saying his role with the company contradicts the philosophy of his close friend and comrade, Martin Luther King, Jr.</p><p>"It is imperative that those of us who worked closely with Dr. King and who have followed in his footsteps tread carefully as we ponder our actions when interacting with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and taking into account its harmful effects in our communities," reads the letter, signed by nearly 60 members of various religious groups, including the United Church of Christ.</p><p>Young, himself a minister, was ordained under the denomination and is a lifelong member of the church. Among those opposing his alliance with Wal-Mart is the Rev. Joseph Lowery, who served alongside Young and King in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference during the civil rights movement.</p><p>"I am disappointed that he has chosen to defend the wayward ways of Wal-Mart," Lowery is quoted as saying in the letter. "I thought that he was seeking to help them change and become a positive force, not to justify their negatives with 'voodoo' economic theories and excuse their practices which swell the ranks of the working poor here and abroad."</p><p>Young has come under fire recently from Lowery and others in the civil rights community after his company, GoodWorks International, was hired earlier this year by Working Families for Wal-Mart to promote the world's largest retailer. Young's company, which he has headed since 1997, works with corporations and governments to foster economic development in Africa and the Caribbean.</p><p>He has said his role in civil rights has changed from marching and protesting to championing economic opportunity. Before starting GoodWorks, Young was a two-term mayor of Atlanta, congressman and United Nations ambassador. He helped bring the 1996 Summer Olympic Games to Atlanta, along with millions of dollars and thousands of jobs.</p><p>Young was not immediately available for comment, but GoodWorks spokeswoman Magdalene Womack said Tuesday afternoon the company had received the letter, which was sent via fax to GoodWorks offices in Atlanta, Washington and New York.</p><p>"We will address it in writing," Womack said.</p>