Press Conference, Arms Around Austin, Protest, Whew!

We started off last week with a press conference on Monday, calling on Lee Scott to come to Austin, retract and apologize for Wal-Mart's threat letter and work with us to find a solution at Northcross that addresses neighborhood concerns and is profitable for the developer.

On Thursday, we showed Wal-mart that Austin and its neighborhoods will not be bullied by encircling City Hall in a symbolic gesture of protection. Also on Thursday, our attorney spoke during the City Council meeting and presented a legal memo proving that Council can and must act to prevent overburdened streets and endangerment of public safety. The memo also showed that the law is quite clear—the City can defend a Council member sued individually by Lincoln or Wal-Mart for acting according to the law in this matter.

Finally, on Saturday, more than a hundred Austinites protested at the Norwood Wal-Mart to again send Wal-Mart the message that its threats will not stop us from exercising our rights.

Thanks to everyone who helped make these events successful!