Office Depot, a well-known office supply retailer, is facing criticism following an incident at its Michigan branch. The store allegedly refused to print a poster featuring the late conservative commentator, Charlie Kirk, for a memorial service. This refusal has incited anger among some individuals, including Matthew DePerno, a lawyer and Republican activist, who has charged the company with censorship.
According to DePerno, the Kalamazoo County Republican Party placed an order for the poster at the Portage, Michigan Office Depot on a Friday afternoon. The poster was meant for a memorial service in honor of Kirk, which was scheduled for the same evening. However, DePerno claims that a print supervisor at the store, known only as “Beryl,” contacted the organizers around 5:30 p.m. to inform them that the order could not be completed, describing the poster as “propaganda.”
Following this, a video was posted online, allegedly showing a print worker at the Portage Office Depot refusing to print the Kirk poster. The video quickly went viral, garnering over 100,000 views by Friday night. DePerno also shared a receipt showing a payment of $56.17 for the canceled order. It is still uncertain whether Office Depot refunded the amount.
In the aftermath of the incident, the group reportedly turned to FedEx, where the staff apologized and printed the poster free of charge. The refusal by Office Depot to print the poster has led to calls for a boycott of the company on social media.
Office Depot has since apologized for the incident, stating that the employee involved has been dismissed. The company also reached out to DePerno in an attempt to rectify the situation. A company spokesperson stated that the employee’s behavior was “completely unacceptable and insensitive,” and violated company policies.
Despite the company’s apology and actions, some social media users continue to call for a boycott of Office Depot. The incident has sparked a heated debate online, with some users accusing the company of being “anti-American.”
Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was tragically assassinated during an outdoor event on a college campus in Utah. His death has sparked widespread mourning among his followers and fellow conservatives.