Blackout For Human Rights Calls For Second Annual Black Friday Boycott

By Zack Sharf

Blackout Human Rights Calls Second Annual Black Friday Boycott — Indiewire

Zack Sharf

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November 20, 2015 1:39 pm

For the second year in a row, Blackout For Human Rights is launching a call to action to encourage all American citizens to boycott shopping on Black Friday, November 27. Blackout is a network of artists, actives and faith leaders who combat human rights violations against U.S. citizens.

In an official statement from the group, they are hoping “Americans refrain from shopping on Black Friday and to instead stand with the citizens of Minneapolis, Ferguson, Baltimore, Chicago, D.C., Staten Island, Oakland and all those who have suffered atrocious race-based and class-based acts of hate.”

“Our goal is to raise awareness to these issues and have the people who care about these issues and are affected by them, to treat Black Friday, a day normally associated with consumerism, as a day of activism instead,” added Blackout member Ryan Coogler, the award-winning director of “Fruitvale Station” and the upcoming “Creed.”

Instead of shopping, Blackout is offering a handful of different events in cities across the country. Support the movement by attending the events below:

New York: The documentary “BaddDDD Sonia Sanchez” with screen at the Elinor Bunin Monroe Film Center at 5pm. A Q+A with poet Sonia Sanchez, filmmakers Sabrina Gordon, Michele Stephenson, poet/activist Euware Osayande and activist Rahiel Tesfamarism will follow the screening. Starting at 7:50pm, there will be a concert and spoken word performance featuring musicians Samora Pinderhughes, Chris Turner, Bilal Salaam, producer PUDGE and young poets from Urban Word NYC.

Oakland: Stanley Nelson’s “The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution” and “BaddDDD Sonia Sanchez” will play as a double feature at 2:30pm at the New Parkway Theater. A free short film program will also take place.

Los Angeles: “The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution” and “Imperial Dreams” will play as a double feature starting at 2:30pm at the Downtown Independent Theater. There will also be spoken word performances, panel discussions and a toiletry and supplies giveaway on Skid Row.

The Oakland feature film screening will have an admission of $10, while all other events at every location will be free admission to the public.