Wal-Mart CEO and Al Sharpton Unlikely Allies in Immigration Debate

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart c.e.o. Lee Scott and the Rev. Al Sharpton were singing a similar tune earlier this week as they called to revive immigration legislation in speeches before the nation's largest Hispanic civil rights organization.

During the National Council of La Raza's annual conference in Miami Beach, Fla., Scott said Hispanics provide a major part of the retailer's business, accounting for roughly 14 percent, the Associated Press reported.

Civil rights activist Sharpton, known for debating corporate America on various issues, said he would support a bill that would provide a path to legalization for many of the nation's more than 12 million illegal immigrants.

"I want to say what a lot of people won't say. The immigration debate is not simply about border security, it is a problem of America dealing with race," Sharpton told the audience of more than 1,000 community, political, and business leaders.

Sharpton and Lee spoke as immigrant rights activists discussed last month's failure to achieve new immigration laws.

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