Customer boycott takes aim at Target's bathroom policy

Hundreds of thousands of Target customers have pledged to boycott the retailer after it announced that it would allow employees and shoppers to use the bathroom corresponding to their gender identity.

"Target's policy is exactly how sexual predators get access to their victims," AFA officials wrote on their site. "And with Target publicly boasting that men can enter women's bathrooms, where do you think predators are going to go?"

In response to the pledge, Target says it will stand by its policy.

Complete coverage: House Bill 2

"As a company that firmly stands behind what it means to offer our team an inclusive place to work – and our guests an inclusive place to shop – we continue to believe that this is the right thing for Target," the company said in a statement.

The debate over bathroom policy continues to rage in both North Carolina and around the country. More than 50 protesters voicing their opposition to the state's House Bill 2 were arrested Monday evening during the first day of the General Assembly's session.

The law, which was signed by Gov. Pat McCrory last month, prevents discrimination protections from being extended to gay and transgender people and prohibits transgender people from using the public bathroom that aligns with their gender identity.

The law also bars cities from setting their own minimum wage and prevents workers from suing in state court for job discrimination.

N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore said Monday that the General Assembly won't repeal House Bill 2 "based on circumstances right now," and he wouldn't say whether a bill filed to repeal the measure would get a hearing.

President Barack Obama on Friday joined the growing chorus of voices calling on North Carolina legislators to overturn the law

"It's very important for us not to send signals that anyone is treated differently," Obama said during a news conference in London.

Presidential candidates have also waded into the debate. Republican front-runner Donald Trump said last week that North Carolina shouldn't have passed the law.

"There have been very few complaints the way it is," Trump said on the TODAY Show on WRAL-TV. "People go, they use the bathroom they feel is appropriate. There has been so little trouble."

Trump's leading rival, Ted Cruz, said he supports the law, calling it "common sense" legislation.