The event will start at 4 p.m. at 1450 University Ave., St. Paul, in conjunction with similar actions in more than 40 cities.

Participants will hold a special prayer calling on Wal-Mart and CEO Lee Scott to "do what is right this holiday season, end the company’s anti-family policies and immoral business practices by Christmas Day, and change for the better," organizers said. 

Faith-based leaders and concerned supporters, including many children and families, will also light candles on behalf of the 1.39 million Wal-Mart employees and their families in the hope that Wal-Mart will become a more responsible employer. Supporters will also be distributing flyers to local citizens in the area asking them, “Are Wal-Mart’s values your values?”

At the event, supporters will release a new 30-second TV ad, entitled “People of Faith.” The new faith-based campaign ad is viewable at www.WakeUpWalMart.com beginning Thursday and is part of WakeUpWalMart.com’s national 2006 “Hope for the Holidays” campaign.