Tom Morello Of 'Rage' Leads Wal-Mart Protest In Chinatown

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hundreds of people are marching through the streets of LA's Chinatown to protest against Wal-Mart's plans to open a store in the neighborhood.

The colorful event included lion dancers, bicyclists and a rally headlined by Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello.

Morello told the Associated Press that LA's historic Chinatown will be "utterly gutted" because Wal-Mart will drive smaller stores in the area out of business. He said Wal-Mart's "global policy of sweatshop labor, poverty level wages is something that we don't need in LA."

Wal-Mart began construction this week with plans to open the store next year.

The company says the store will fulfill a need in the community for fresh food and other groceries.

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