AFA president delivers new batch of petition signatures to Target headquarters

Tim Wildmon, president of the American Family Association (AFA), personally went to Target headquarters in Minneapolis on Tuesday to deliver a petition containing 500,000 signatures pledging to boycott the retail store over its controversial bathroom policy.

Target senior management reportedly met with AFA leadership to listen to their concerns about the restroom and fitting room policy that allows shoppers to use bathrooms and changing rooms that correspond with their gender identity.

"American Family Association is again appreciative that Target representatives were willing to accept the signatures of another 500,000 Americans who are alarmed by this ongoing policy," Wildmon said according to a press release published on Christian Newswire.

"Yet, even after the retail chain struggled with multiple negative headlines over their sinking sales this past year, Target gave no indication it would make any changes to this policy that is alienating millions of families," he added.

After AFA delivered one million boycott signatures to Target last year, the retail giant vowed to add single-stall restrooms in its stores, but it has refused to amend the policy.

Wildmon stated that its campaign to boycott Target will continue, and he said he is confident that more people will sign the petition to voice their concerns about the retail store's bathroom policy.

"Most importantly, we ask that all who agree with AFA's #BoycottTarget pledge remain committed to not visiting Target stores or shopping online through Target.com. Target's financial numbers have shown that these families who have chosen to shop elsewhere are making a huge difference," he added.

Last month, Target CEO Brian Cornell reportedly admitted that the retail store made a mistake in publicizing the bathroom policy. According to the Wall Street Journal, Cornell was surprised to learn about the policy and told his colleagues that he would not have approved the blog that announced it.

It was reported that the retail store had lost "millions" in sales and added expenses, with sales dropping nearly six percent in three quarters since the policy's announcement, compared with the same period the previous year.

However, the CEO had repeatedly denied that the company's revenue decline had anything to do with the boycott and has vowed to continue with the policy.

Wildmon has argued that the bathroom policy would entice sex offenders into restrooms and fitting rooms intended for women. In September, the AFA compiled a list of 10 cases of men found recording, taking photos, or peering into women's restrooms at Target stores across the U.S.