MoreEDINA, MN — An online boycott of a carwash here has expanded to encompass three other company locations, MinnesotaIndependent.com reported.
The Aug. 29 story noted that the boycott began when Gabe Aderhold, 17, saw members of the You Can Run But You Can’t Hide ministry tabling information at the Edina Car Wash.
This ministry is run by Bradlee Dean, a man known for his controversial stances and radio show. Dean’s statements about homosexuality during his radio show have drawn national criticism, and, while leading a prayer in the Minnesota Legislature earlier this year, Dean asserted President Obama was not a Christian, the story stated.
Aderhold went into the carwash to complain, but he said in the story that management wasn’t sympathetic to his complaint, and they told him they support the ministry.
Working with a friend, Aderhold set up a Facebook page for the boycott that now has over 500 followers, according to the story. The boycott has also lowered the Yelp ratings of the carwash and the three other businesses that are part of the boycott: Edina Tire and Auto, Grandview Tire and Auto and Pro Tech Automotive.
Timothy Murphy, owner of the businesses, said in the story that he was frustrated by the boycott. Still, he doesn’t expect it to cause harm to his businesses.
Murphy explained that the whole issue could have been avoided if Aderhold had approached him directly. “Our intent was to assist youth,” Murphy said in the story. “It wasn’t endorsed by me, it was endorsed by a manager, but I give my managers the authority to support organizations however they may choose.”
