s/o Ferguson: Blackout Friday

[josieposy]

I'm struggling to understand how this helps. Can someone help me make the connection?

[pixy0stix]

Nov 26, 2014 13:06:05 GMT -5 josieposy said:

I'm struggling to understand how this helps. Can someone help me make the connection?

I don't know.

[ttt]

Nov 26, 2014 13:06:05 GMT -5 josieposy said:

I'm struggling to understand how this helps. Can someone help me make the connection?

The idea is to show the economic impact of this group of people. Like the whole gas out day, to show what happens to revenues for that day if people choose to stay away. So kind of like a warning - look what happens when we choose not to shop, we have power in our spending. I actually think it's a pretty good idea. You won't listen to our voices, but you'll have to listen to our wallets. 

It will never happen, though, because pretty much everyone cares more about cheap stuff than, well, anything else. 

[EllieArroway]

They were taking about this on NPR this morning. They said it would only work if people do not buy anything period. If they just wait until another day the stores will make the same amount (or maybe more since it may no longer be on sale) over the entire holiday period.

The real economic impact will only be felt if everyone refuses to shop this holiday season. Which of course will never happen. But if somehow a bunch of people donated the amount they would spend to an org that could help instead of shopping this year that might get their attention.

[AJL]

I'm OK with it and will participate but I don't shop on Black Friday anyway.  I do like the idea of shopping at black owned local businesses instead of corporate retailers. This was something that Awesomely Luvvie has on her FB page.

[heyjude]

Can't read the article. But is this about banning shopping on Black Friday in protest of Ferguson?

I love it.

This country moves on the whims of big corporations. If everyone said fuck Black Friday, on the biggest day of the year for big retailers, in order for some cause, we may see change. Maybe.

[josieposy]

But how does this affect the justice system?

ETA: Look I'm not trying to be naive here. But I don't get how not shopping on Friday has anything to do with what is going on in Ferguson's police dept and prosecutor's office. Why is this a viable solution over stronger community involvement campaigns?

[ttt]

Nov 26, 2014 13:52:45 GMT -5 josieposy said:

But how does this affect the justice system?

ETA: Look I'm not trying to be naive here. But I don't get how not shopping on Friday has anything to do with what is going on in Ferguson's police dept and prosecutor's office. Why is this a viable solution over stronger community involvement campaigns?

I think it's more about sending a message about "we won't be ignored" than about making specific changes to the Ferguson PD. Which makes sense, since this is a national issue that's much better than just what happens in Ferguson itself. 

[pixy0stix]

We can't even get people to not shop on Thanksgiving. Let alone Black Friday.

[busybodyk]

I won't be shopping on Friday. I am curios to see what the impact will be.

[anodyne]

Protests are being planned outside malls in major cities. This added to those who choose not to shop may have an impact.

fergusonresponse.tumblr.com/

Last night a few of the protest leaders were at a local mall and one woman tweeted about a creeper watching her in VS. Soon after about 20 protesters showed up at the mall, peacefully chanting and walking throughout the mall. The mall closed early, only 10 minutes early, but still early because people were scared.

[SallyJ]

I see it as a "there are more important things to be thinking about than consumerism".

[thejackpot]

I won't be shopping. Solange postponed the release of her collaboration with Puma (I think) sneakers. There is def support for the effort.

[anodyne]

St. Louis Galleria

vine.co/v/OniagIalHT7

[anodyne]

Reports that West Oakland Bart currently being shut down by protesters

[sparrowsong]

I never shop on Black Friday since I believe in limiting the consumerism and commercialization of the holidays. But they can count my non-participation for this too.

[anodyne]

Protesters are in Macy's NYC.

This is awesome.

[anodyne]

The Galleria has closed.

[meshaliuknits]

Nov 26, 2014 16:20:49 GMT -5 @majorwife said:

it seems organizers are trying to get people to support black owned businesses on friday and saturday

www.afrobella.com/2014/11/26/101-independent-black-owned-businesses-support-blackout-friday/

I'm so asking for a curly hair subscription box.

Sent from my EVO

[meshaliuknits]

Nov 28, 2014 14:19:54 GMT -5 anodyne said:

Reports that West Oakland Bart currently being shut down by protesters

Bad choice. Ain't no one get on there. Trains will just go through. Shutting down Powell on black Friday on the other hand...

Sent from my EVO

[mrspez07]

Nov 28, 2014 16:24:43 GMT -5 meshaliuknits said:

Nov 28, 2014 14:19:54 GMT -5 anodyne said:

Reports that West Oakland Bart currently being shut down by protesters

Bad choice. Ain't no one get on there. Trains will just go through. Shutting down Powell on black Friday on the other hand...

Sent from my EVO

They linked themselves together through a train, so it made one way inoperable. I think it borders on brilliant, but the amount of negativity in the story's comments is incredible.

[anodyne]

Protesters also shut down West County Mall in STL. The two largest malls in the area.

[meshaliuknits]

Nov 28, 2014 17:22:09 GMT -5 mrspez07 said:

Nov 28, 2014 16:24:43 GMT -5 meshaliuknits said:

Bad choice. Ain't no one get on there. Trains will just go through. Shutting down Powell on black Friday on the other hand...

Sent from my EVO

They linked themselves together through a train, so it made one way inoperable. I think it borders on brilliant, but the amount of negativity in the story's comments is incredible.

Eh. They'll run thru on the other tracks causing minor delays that's about it. This ain't BART's first rodeo.

If you want to severely disrupt service you would need to hit transfer point like Mac. Powell is also good because it literally lets off into the mall. On Black Friday that would get a LOT more notice even if it's particularly easy to get around.

Sent from my EVO

[mrspez07]

ILs are posting in FB that SFPD is keeping protesters out of Union Sq for the tree lighting now as well.

[anodyne]

I know it's wrong but I cannot stop laughing at this.

From the SF protests today

vine.co/v/On1x6iUuwxK

[anodyne]

They have shut down Plaza Frontenac , ritziest mall in the area. The mall security cop joined in the march and was dancing with them. There are about 5 or 6 others going on at large stipmalls around the area.

[ringstrue]

Yay I'm totally into this. SHUT IT ALL DOWN!!