Protesters add new element to Black Friday chaos
As shoppers across the country stampeded and fought each other for heavily discounted goods, people also turned out at stores in acts of organized protest.
Protesters concerned with policing and racism in America, as well as a number of Walmart employees upset with low wages, unaccomodating pregnancy policies, and the fact that most stores are open on Thanksgiving itself, demonstrated at retail outlets across the country.
Protesters concerned about race relations and police brutality organized under the banners of #BlackOutBlackFriday and #BlackFridayBlackOut.
Protesters were seen outside Macy's and elsewhere in Manhattan.
Getting started #BlackFridayBlackOut #blacklivesmatter #NotOneDime pic.twitter.com/gzTqFz1RpH
— RYTF (@RockawayYouth) November 28, 2014
Hands up don't shot!! #BlackFridayBlackout #NotOneDime pic.twitter.com/Bgk2MeL3UK — Omar Abreu (@omarabreu92) November 28, 2014
They could also be found in Chicago.
While the units are moving their vehicles: #BrownFriday RT @pizzaparty420: Die-in #Chi2Ferguson #BlackFridayBlackout pic.twitter.com/635SBA7zpM
— Eric Tendian (@EricTendian) November 28, 2014
The issues of systemic racism and economic rights merged in many protests. Such as this one in Washington D.C.
#BlackFridayBlackout #DCFerguson march "$15, Full Time!" Headed to @walmart pic.twitter.com/dTc0DDA703 — The Other 98% (@other98) November 28, 2014
Huge crowd shutting down the street right outside DC Walmart. People looking down from windows. #BlackFridayBlackout pic.twitter.com/z9xsNOqfQD
— sam r jewler (@samrjewler) November 28, 2014
People also protested Walmart in the California's Bay Area.
Bay Area turning out for worker rights. #BoycottBlackFriday @DianaValerie #BlackFridayBlackOut pic.twitter.com/XwaXUpQRpE — Shoshanna Howard (@Sho_How) November 28, 2014
Support for the protests manifested itself on social media where people changed their profile pictures to an image of total darkness.
I see you all changing your profile pictures! Join us and don't spend a dime today! Not a dime. #BlackoutBlackFriday pic.twitter.com/RAJi0CBONs
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) November 28, 2014
