Profits Over National Security at Wal-Mart (6/5/07)

RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum joined U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (NY-08) and other New York leaders Tuesday to demand that Wal-Mart end its opposition to the scanning of all port containers entering the country. Homeland security experts and the federal 9/11 Commission have long pointed out that, unless arriving cargo is scanned, terrorists could easily use port containers to smuggle weapons into the U.S.

"It’s no secret why Wal-Mart opposes scanning containers for nuclear weapons –and the material that can be fashioned into them," Appelbaum told a New York news conference.
"Wal-Mart executives are worried that anything that could slow down their importation of foreign products – even if for a moment – would cost them money and, God forbid, dig into their profit margin," he said.
Rep. Nadler, considered America's leading advocate for port security, added that "One Wal-Mart container enters this country every 45 seconds."
"Every 45 seconds, there’s another chance that a terrorist has smuggled in nuclear materials or the ingredients to create a biological or chemical weapon. Every 45 seconds, there’s a missed opportunity to enhance our security," Nadler said.
Appelbaum, Nadler and others at the Tuesday news conference tore into the Bush Administration for giving in to pressure from Wal-Mart.
"It’s outrageous and shameful," Appelbaum said.
"The bottom line is that any one of the containers Wal-Mart is bringing in to this country could prove to be 9/11-in-a-box.
"Wal-Mart is refusing to live up to their responsibilities and it’s high time our government live up to theirs," he added.
Watch video of RWDSU President Stuart Appelbuam addressing this issue, followed by U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler.
Watch video of RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum speaking at the conference, followed by Rep. Jerrold Nadler.