Organizations concerned about Wal-Mart's effect on communities and workplaces will hold a "Send Wal-Mart Back to School" rally Tuesday, Aug. 23, at 3:30 p.m. at the Midway Wal-Mart on University Ave. in St. Paul.

Demonstrators will urge shoppers to make their back-to-school purchases elsewhere to teach Wal-Mart a lesson.

"Back-to-school shopping generates billions of dollars in sales, second in line only to holiday shopping," United Food & Commercial Workers Local 789 said in announcing the rally. "This kick off event is a great opportunity to get the word out to shoppers that by purchasing new school clothes and supplies for their children at Wal-Mart, they are also supporting a company that has failed to score good marks as an employer and community neighbor."

Before and after the event, UFCW Local 789 members and others will knock on doors in the Midway community to talk to neighbors about Wal-Mart. In addition to Local 789, unions sponsoring the event include the St. Paul Federation of Teachers Local 28.

Wal-Mart's poor reputation includes opposing the rights of employees to join unions, violating child labor laws and undermining Main Street businesses, the unions said.

For more information
Find more on Wal-Mart's record at www.wakeupwalmart.org