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AFA continues to engage big business on believers' behalf

AFA continues to engage big business on believers' behalf


AFA continues to engage big business on believers' behalf

American Family Association (AFA) continues to engage with companies about issues in the workplace.

"We just filed a proposal with Home Depot when it comes to Christian employee resource groups," AFA Vice President Walker Wildmon told the "Faith & Finance on American Family Radio" program. "So, most of these publicly traded companies have various employee resource groups. Home Depot for example has an LGBTQ employee resource group but no Christian resource group."

Wildmon called that "very odd."

"Most companies at least offer a Christian resource group for the employees to participate in, but the Home Depot does not," said Wildmon. "So, we're looking at discussing that with Home Depot hopefully using the shareholder engagement process with the proposal there."

Not stopping there

Meanwhile, AFA has something similar with Bank of New York Mellon (BNY).

"John Deere has a proposal we just submitted in recent weeks regarding their corporate charitable giving," said Wildmon. "So, which groups are they giving to and are they donating to? Are they donating to left-wing groups like the Human Rights Campaign and others? Or are they donating to groups that are protecting American families like American Family Association? Of course, we know the answer to that is no."

Earlier this year, AFN reported on AFA's engagement with Apple on the subject of software that would assist in the protection of children from sexual abuse.

Apple has refused to use the software which would scan Apple iCloud accounts for child sexual abuse, then notify Apple and law enforcement if material is found.

Determined to publicize Apple’s controversial stance, AFA has proposed a resolution for the next Apple shareholder meeting, which is in early 2025.

Apple efforts to deny resolution

The proposed resolution asks Apple Corporation to conduct a risk assessment – the resolution calls it a “transparency report” – if the company refuses to implement the scanning software, Wildmon told AFN.  

Wildmon, Walker (AFA VP operations) Wildmon

A similar proposal for Apple to take action was made in 2020 and again in 2021.

“After concern from privacy groups,” Wildmon explains, “Apple withdrew the plan to expand what's known as the CSAM scanning feature for iCloud accounts."

Apple also sought to suppress the resolution from its shareholders meeting, but Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys were successful in urging the Securities and Exchange Commission to hold Apple’s feet to the fire and allow the resolution.

The ADF pointed out that Apple scored 8% out of a possible 100% on the 2023 Viewpoint Diversity Score Business Index.


Editor's Note: The American Family Association is the parent organization of the American Family News Network, which operates AFN.net.