Group Urges Consumers to Stay Home on Black Friday
A young organization recently launched a campaign aimed at immediately addressing the “staggering level of human rights violations” against Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Renisha McBride, Trayvon Martin and other Americans unjustly killed by police and private citizens.
Blackout is urging consumers to join in a nationwide economic blackout on Black Friday as a means of peacefully demonstrating their discontent. Typically occurring directly after Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping days of the year.
The end goal of Blackout’s campaign is to create enough impact on major retailers that they lend support and resources to the cause of ending human rights violations against Americans.
"Our lives are joined by the money we spend as consumers. Today, more than ever, the levers of power — civic, corporate, industrial, capital — are tied to one another and to our economy,” said the organization in a statement on Tuesday. "Major chains like Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Target depend on our shopping to keep them afloat, especially during the holiday season, but the lives of our brothers and sisters are worth more than the dollars we can save on holiday gifts. Let’s demonstrate our unity. Take this single day off of shopping to #showyourworth."
A number of high profile celebrities, including Jesse Williams, John Legend, Tika Sumpter, Chanel Iman, Russell Simmons and former 106 & Park host Terrence Jenkins, have already voiced their support for the movement.
"Together we can stand up + spark change. Join @UnitedBlackout for #BlackoutBlackFriday,” Simmons tweeted.
Head to the Blackout website for more information on local Blackout activities in your area and ways to stay involved beyond Thanksgiving 2014.
Watch Kevin Hart in a new episode of Real Husbands of Hollywood every Tuesday, 10P/9C.
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(Photo: Frederick Bass/Getty Images)
