Office Depot Faces Backlash for Refusal to Print Vigil Poster

Office Depot is encountering a wave of criticism and calls for a boycott after a location in Michigan reportedly declined to print a poster for a vigil honoring the late conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

Matthew Deperno, a Republican activist and lawyer, shared that he placed an order for the poster at the Portage, Michigan store for a vigil scheduled later that evening. His order, made at 2:24 p.m. on Friday, was abruptly canceled. According to Deperno, a supervisor named “Beryl” informed the organizer that the poster was considered “propaganda” and therefore couldn’t be printed.

Deperno’s post on X (formerly Twitter) detailed the interaction, emphasizing his frustration with Office Depot’s decision. Attached to his post was a video from the store and a receipt that listed the payment of $56.17 for the poster, although it’s unclear if he received a refund.

The lawyer indicated that the group then turned to FedEx, where the employees were apologetic and printed the posters at no charge.

By Friday evening, Deperno’s post had attracted over 100,000 views, highlighting the public’s interest in the situation.

In response to the incident, Office Depot extended an apology, stating that the actions of its staff were inappropriate and did not align with the values of the company. They confirmed that the employee involved was terminated and that they reached out to Deperno to address the issue.

The chain recognized the situation as unacceptable, stating, “We sincerely apologize to the customers and communities affected for this unfortunate situation,” and mentioned an internal review was initiated right away.

Calls to boycott the store have surged on social media, with various users expressing their discontent regarding the incident. Comments ranged from shock to disappointment, reflecting a collective frustration with Office Depot’s handling of the order.

As discussions continue online, many are questioning the implications of such refusals in businesses catering to diverse audiences.