Big conservative group calls for Target boycott

American Family Association has called on its members to boycott Target Corp. over the chain’s decision to allow transgender employees and customers to use bathrooms that correspond with their gender identity.



The group said it had gathered 172,494 signatures on a boycott petition by mid-morning on Friday.



"Target's policy is exactly how sexual predators get access to their victims," said AFA president Tim Wildmon in an open letter. "Clearly, Target's dangerous new policy poses a danger to wives and daughters. We think many customers will agree.”



The retailer on Friday stood by that policy in a report by Reuters.



"As a company that firmly stands behind what it means to offer our team an inclusive place to work -- and our guests an inclusive place to shop -- we continue to believe that this is the right thing for Target," said company spokeswoman Molly Snyder in the report.