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Wal Mart is opening its doors at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day to kick off one of the biggest shopping days all year, Black Friday. The sales kick off two hours earlier than they did last year, mirroring similar announcements from a number of its competitors.

Kohl’s, Target, Toys R Us, Macy’s and J.C. Penney will also open on Thanksgiving day to take advantage of Pre-Black Friday promotions.

Last year, more than 30,000 people signed an online petition asking Walmart not to open its doors at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving, arguing that the retailer, which made $17 billion in profits last year, “can afford to give its employees this holiday to spend with their families.”

"Workers who are scheduled for overnight shifts, day shifts and evening shifts on turkey day will receive a Thanksgiving meal provided by the company," said Kory Lundberg, a Walmart spokesman.

SEE ALSO: 40 Ways To Describe Walmart

The Examiner reported that catering companies and restaurants near Walmart stores will provide the meals for the workers. There are a number of Walmart stores that will also offer sandwiches on Black Friday to help deal with the madness as well.

Walmart employees who work Thanksgiving will also get paid extra and receive a 25 percent discount off one purchase made Dec. 5 and 6.

A petition on Change.org calls for the company to respect National Holiday restrictions and allow workers the day off:

It isn’t right to have Wal-Mart employees work all Thanksgiving day because they could lose their job if they do not go into work. All the days off requested months before were denied. People should not have to work on Thanksgiving because it takes precious time away from Family. Thanksgiving is a national holiday and should be spent with family, not at work.

“Most businesses are closed on Thanksgiving, I understand that Walmart is a staple in many towns, but everyone survives it being closed on Christmas. As a single mother, it breaks my heart to know that I won’t be able to spend that time with my son,” the author of the petition, who identified herself on the site as Stephenie Ritter, wrote.

Wal-Mart employees rallied outside the company’s Paramount store Wednesday in protest of low pay and unfair scheduling.

Last year, workers in more than 100 cities protested outside Wal Mart on Black Friday to draw attention to the fact that so many companies forced workers to come in on Thanksgiving Day.

Lundberg told ABC News that most of the 4,000 Walmarts in the U.S. are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week anyway. Which means they've been open on Thanksgiving for years.

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