vendredi 28 novembre 2014

Ferguson Protesters Shut Down Mall For Black Friday

Ferguson Protesters Shut Down Mall For Black Friday image black friday ferguson protesters shut it down


A groups of Ferguson protesters marched through the St. Louis Galleria mall on Friday, with the intent to ‘shut down’ the mall’s Black Friday sales. The protesters marched and chanted, and store after store shut its doors.


The protest was in response to the Grand Jury decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson for shooting Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri in August. Protests have occurred at retail outlets across the country, though the Bellingham Herald reports that most have been on a much smaller scale than this on in St. Louis.


They’re calling it ‘Black Out Black Friday,’ and it’s a far more peaceful protest than those staged in Ferguson the night after the decision was announced. Though it’s certainly disruptive, protesters have made an effort to keep it peaceful.


The Ferguson protesters flooded in by the hundreds, filling the mall alongside Black Friday shoppers.






The difference between protesters and shoppers quickly became apparent though.






Protesters held a 4.5 minute silence in honor of Michael Brown, whose body was reported to have stayed on the ground for 4.5 hours. They sat or lay on the floor, to represent Brown’s body on the ground. They sang protest songs in the form of Christmas carols.








Though the protest was peaceful, the mall began to shut down: the escalator was turned off, as was the wifi, and stores began to close their doors. Santa’s Village shut down.








Eventually, security began to urge shoppers to leave, and prevent new shoppers from entering. Police blocked the entrance to the parking lot, letting people leave but not enter.






The Galleria has made no statement about the event, but comments on their Facebook page are calling for charges to be filed.



The Galleria is private property, those protesters do not have the right to do whatever they want on your property, just like I would not. If you allow them to disrupt your paying customers, your mall will be very quiet this season. Hoping to hear tonight that the Galleria will be filing charges.



The protesters say the Black Friday shutdown was an effective way to bring their message to the people, and make it heard. There are further rallies and protests planned for next weekend. The Ferguson protesters don’t have plans to stop any time soon.


[Photo Credit: DeRay McKesson]






Ferguson Protesters Shut Down Mall For Black Friday
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