Pictured Above: The company condemned the violence at the Capitol but declined to comment on Fancelli’s actions in the statement. It claimed the actions that day aren’t reflective of the company’s values.
Courtesy of Cassidy Schuck
By Michael Alden
Some Publix customers have boycotted Florida’s popular grocery chain after it was reported the company’s heiress funded events which led to the Capitol riot.
Julie Jenkins Fancellie, daughter of Publix founder George Jenkins and heiress to Publix Super Markets Inc., donated roughly $300,000 to help fund the “Save America Rally” that took place shortly before the riot at the Capitol. The rally, located at the Ellipse in Washington D.C., cost about $500,000 in total.
Critics took to social media to announce their boycott of the grocery chain after the Wall Street Journal broke the story on Jan. 30.
“It was my favorite grocery store and the best job I’ve ever had. Even got employee of the month once. But it’s time to #BOYCOTTPUBLIX,” tweeted one former Publix employee.
Dena Grayson, a medical doctor and former candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Florida’s 9th congressional district, also took to Twitter.
“I used to shop frequently at Publix here in Florida,” Grayson said in her tweet. “However, now knowing that one of its major shareholders bankrolled Trump’s rally that incited the seditious coup attempt, I will shop elsewhere. #BOYCOTT PUBLIX.”
After #BOYCOTTPUBLIX trended across Twitter over the last week, Publix shoppers in other states like Georgia and North Carolina joined in.
“I think the boycotts are well justified,” said Summer Breeze, a junior communication major at USF Tampa. “The people know that they vote with their dollars.”
Publix released a statement on Jan. 30 saying that “Mrs. Fancelli is not an employee of Publix Super Markets, and is neither involved in our business operations, nor does she represent the company in any way.”
The company condemned the violence at the Capitol but declined to comment on Fancelli’s actions in the statement. It claimed the actions that day aren’t reflective of the company’s values.
“I think Publix has a good reputation throughout the east coast, but this threatens that,” said Cole Naylor, a junior political science major.
Naylor would like to see Publix make an additional statement addressing Fancelli’s actions.
“If they don’t make a statement then I think they will see consequences as the story progresses,” Naylor said.
Fancelli issued a brief response to the Wall Street Journal story on Jan. 31.
“I am a proud conservative and have real concerns associated with election integrity, yet I would never support any violence, particularly the tragic and horrific events that unfolded on January 6th,” Fancelli said.
Diana Awawdeh, a junior health sciences major, believes Fancelli did support violence through her donation.
“Donating to such a rally is provoking hate and violence,” Awawdeh said. “I feel like that is what Julie was supporting and it’s definitely heartbreaking to see people actually want a divided country.”
Alex Jones, a conspiracy theorist and founder of the far-right media outlet InfoWars, helped arrange Fancelli’s donation. Jones donated $50,000 to the rally in exchange for a speaking role.
Trump fundraising official Caroline Wren also coordinated Fancelli’s donation. Wren was listed as a “VIP advisor” on the event’s public gathering permit.
According to Federal Election Committee records, Fancelli donated $997,300 to Trump Victory, a joint fundraising committee for the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee. Additionally, she donated $525,900 to the RNC, $500,000 to the America First Action super PAC and $11,000 to the Trump campaign directly.
The Jenkins family is the 39th richest family in the country with a net worth of $8.8 billion.
Good advertisement for those who wish to support Publix. Think I will ditch a couple Costco trips just to support them.