Walmart CEO takes firm stance against ‘religious freedom’ bill in Arkansas

New York – Arkansas native and Walmart president CEO Doug McMillon has taken a firm stance against a “religious freedom” measure passed by the Arkansas House on Tuesday. The bill (HB1228) is similar to the one that has kicked up a firestorm in Indiana.



“Today’s passage of HB1228 threatens to undermine the spirit of inclusion present throughout the state of Arkansas and does not reflect the values we proudly uphold. For these reasons, we are asking Governor Hutchinson to veto this legislation,” McMillon wrote in a statement released on the retailer’s Twitter account.”



Although Gov. Hutchinson had previously indicated he would sign the measure, on Wednesday he said he did not plan to sign the version that sat on his desk. He called on the state Legislature to make changes before sending it back to him.



McMillon, who hails from Jonesboro, Arkansas, graduated from the University of Arkansas and received a MBA from the University of Tulsa.



“Every day, in our stores, we see firsthand the benefits diversity and inclusion have on our associates, customers and communities we serve," McMillon wrote in the tweet. "It all starts with our core basic belief of respect for the individual.”