While many Americans rush to big box stores for Black Friday deals today, many others have chosen to stay home in a form of protest over the killing of Michael Brown and other police shooting that have left unarmed young people dead in recent years and months. The campaign is called #BlackOutBlackFriday, and it has gained traction on social media thanks to the support of some influential celebrities.
Grey’s Anatomy’s Jesse Williams has led the charge, tweeting about the event weeks before the grand jury decision in Ferguson was announced:
11/28 is an exercise in economic discipline & leverage. Sit down & be counted. #BlackoutBlackFriday @UnitedBlackout http://t.co/j4LRA0ZwnN
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) November 11, 2014
In the last few days, many other prominent figures have jumped on board:
Together we can stand up + spark change. Join @UnitedBlackout for #BlackoutBlackFriday: http://t.co/iPvbdU9rSJ RT! pic.twitter.com/zLJigp9vH0
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) November 25, 2014
Together we can stand up & spark change. Join @UnitedBlackout & I for #BlackoutBlackFriday: http://t.co/shIRZo5lmv
— Kat Graham (@KatGraham) November 25, 2014
We have the power to change our nation. Stand up with @UnitedBlackout on #BlackoutBlackFriday: http://t.co/UDx08bCCeX
— Tom Morello (@tmorello) November 25, 2014
Was never one who went shopping on "Black Friday" ever! Certainly won't change this Friday. #BlackoutBlackFriday #fuckyoblackfriday
— Tyson Beckford (@TysonCBeckford) November 26, 2014
Together we can stand up & spark change. Join @UnitedBlackout & I for #BlackoutBlackFriday: http://t.co/Xp8gwEB8i0
— RZA! (@RZA) November 27, 2014
#BlackoutBlackFriday pic.twitter.com/S26GOgOvmj
— Niecy Nash (@NiecyNash) November 28, 2014
In an opinion piece for CNN, Soledad O’Brien spoke to director Ryan Coogler, who made the 2013 film Fruitvale Station, about the killing of Oscar Grant, about why he is supporting the boycott. “There are three ways you can express yourself,” he said. “You can vote. You can protest. You can choose how you spend your money that goes to America’s corporations that hold a lot of power.”
What the #BlackoutBlackFriday movement is all about: http://t.co/np7PmMbMpY
— Soledad O'Brien (@soledadobrien) November 27, 2014
And Solange Knowles, who had a major product launch with Puma set for Friday, decided to postpone it in solidarity with the movement:
In a video posted to YouTube on November 7, director Shaka King juxtaposed “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” with images of African-Americans being beaten, pepper-sprayed and shot by police. The message at the end urges viewers not to shop on November 28.
“Our hope: to end violence against and the unjust killings of fellow American citizens,” the video’s creators wrote. “Our aim: to raise awareness that builds and maintains pressure on the instruments of power until we are satisfied that the current threat has passed.”
Watch video below, via YouTube:
[Photo via Twitter]
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