Leaders of faith representing over 1.3 million Americans have joined WakeUpWalMart.com in a nationwide initiative to call on Wal-Mart and CEO Lee Scott to "change for the better" this Holiday season. As part of this faith-based effort, 65 respected faith-based leaders signed a joint letter to Lee Scott, CEO of Wal-Mart, which states "in the shared spirit of the holiday season, we call on Wal-Mart to change, to become better, and to embrace the best of American values." The letter to Lee Scott is part of a new faith-based grassroots and multimedia campaign, named "Light a Candle for Change," launched by WakeUpWalMart.com.

"This Holiday season, Wal-Mart, America’s largest employer, has the power to change, to become better, to reflect the best of our values. It is our sincere hope Wal-Mart will choose the higher road and become a moral example that all people of faith can embrace proudly," said Paul Blank, campaign director for WakeUpWalMart.com.

The goal of the "Light A Candle for Change" campaign is to change Wal-Mart into a responsible corporation that reflects the best moral values of our country. The letter to Lee Scott goes on to state "there is no better present Wal-Mart could give to its workers, their families, and America than to change for the better this holiday season." As part of this new campaign, the families and children of supporters of WakeUpWalMart.com will also be holding local candlelight vigils at Wal-Marts in at least 27 cities in 19 different states, including Oregon, Kentucky, Texas, Arkansas, Ohio, and Illinois.

"Out of our religious heritage comes the recognition that we are not allowed to deprive people of their God-given right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In this respect the Wal-Mart form of business represents plantation capitalism; the few become very wealthy and the many become poorer," stated Reverend James Lawson of Holman United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, CA.

The faith-based grassroots initiative by WakeUpWalMart.com will also include a coordinated online and TV multimedia campaign. The TV ad, titled "People," is the first TV advertisement to highlight Wal-Mart’s moral failures and raise the powerful question - "Should People of Faith Shop at Wal-Mart?" this holiday season. The 30-second TV spot will be running in 6 states, including Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Alabama, Kentucky, and Georgia. The ad can also be viewed at WakeUpWalMart.com.

To read a copy of the letter and to add your name to the signees, click here.

To see the new video ad, click here.