Office Depot CEO apologizes after Illinois branch refused to print religious flyers
After news broke about the refusal of an Illinois branch to print religious flyers for a customer, the CEO of Office Depot released a public apology.
According to Fox News, the store refused Maria Goldstein's flyers that included "A Prayer for Planned Parenthood." The staff reportedly said Goldstein's flyers' content were restricted by corporate policy, but when asked what policy her flyers were violating, the customer didn't get an answer. She also said the corporate offices refused to return any of her calls.
Office Depot chairman and CEO Roland Smith said in a statement: "We sincerely apologize to Ms. (Maria) Goldstein for her experience and our initial reaction was not at all related to her religious beliefs." Smith added that the client is always welcome at the store if she needs any flyers printed.
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Goldstein's flyers not only included the call for a prayer meeting against Planned Parenthood but it contained facts about abortion and the role of the abortion service providing organization on further advocating the removal of an unborn child from the womb.
Office Depot's initial reaction to the flyers were that of dismay, referring to the flyers as "hate speech," but Goldstein clarified that her flyers were to "ask for conversion...the conversion of the staff, employees, everybody who is part of this at Planned Parenthood," adding that her call for a prayer meeting was looking toward the realization that life "has dignity and that it is valuable and not a commodity to be bought and sold."
According to The Christian Broadcasting Network, the client then asked for assistance from the Thomas More Society legal office. Tom Olp, the group's attorney, said the case was one important reminder to the American Society, further explaining that Americans should fight for their rights to religious liberty, even as it is increasingly under attack these days.
In a press release, Goldstein said she is thankful to the group for assisting her in protecting her rights. She also encouraged other Christians to uphold their rights to their beliefs and religious standards.
