http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12338-2004Dec19.html
By Jacqueline L. Salmon
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, December 20, 2004; Page B02
For decades, Salvation Army volunteers, ringing bells as they stand beside bright red kettles, have been a holiday fixture outside stores nationwide. This year, Target stores have banned them, and religious groups representing millions of evangelical Christians are calling for a boycott to protest the decision.
Target said it is trying to be fair to other charities by ending the exception from Target's non-solicitation policy given to the Salvation Army.
The Christian groups said they believe that the Minneapolis-based retailer has bowed to pressure from gay rights groups that are upset with the Salvation Army's refusal to offer benefits to employees' domestic partners.