A Walmart war erupted at City Hall Thursday as politicians lashed out at the big box retailer – whose execs skipped the hearing but fought back with a publicity blitz.

Hundreds of protesters** angrily denounced Walmart and small business owners testified that they were afraid they’d close if the retail giant succeeds in opening its first city store.

Walmart supporters countered with boxes of petitions signed by 30,000 New Yorkers who want a store in the five boroughs.

"No matter what Walmart propaganda says, they are not a company that is good for New York City," said Council Speaker Christine Quinn, ticking off a raft of charges against the company – from hurting small businesses to discriminating against women and refusing to accept food stamps.

Walmart executives refused to testify at the Council hearing – but emailed out frequent "fact checker" updates questioning claims by academics and politicians who said that when Walmart moves into an area, the economy can take a hit.

**Including members of Make the Road New York (MRNY).

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