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‘Bombs are dropping, why are you shopping?’ Black Friday traditions interrupted by anti-Israel protests

November 25, 2023 | | Print Article

Americans are used to throwing elbows with fellow Americans on Black Friday in the rush to get that deal on whatever new gadget is en vogue for Christmas, but they likely never thought they’d have to push through a mob of angry anti-Israeli protestors to score on behalf of Santa.

But this is 2023, and on the day after Thanksgiving, eager shoppers across the nation were confronted by anti-Israel demonstrators trying to disrupt retailers’ busiest day of the year.

New York, Los Angeles, and Boston were among the cities that saw Black Friday protests, despite an Israeli-Hamas ceasefire and exchanges for hostages, Fox News Digital reports.

“Bombs are dropping, why are you shopping?” chanted demonstrators outside Macy’s in the Big Apple.

In Florida, protestors targeted Nike and Ralph Lauren at Tampa’s Premium Outlets mall, accusing them of “profiting off genocide.”

“Hey hey, ho ho, Zionism has got to go!” they chanted.

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(Video: YouTube)

In Los Angeles, one user on X reported, “Police are in riot gear and there’s a citywide tactical alert.”

“Mob of pro-Palestinian protestors has taken over the Grove shopping center in Los Angeles,” the user wrote. “They’re trying to shut down Black Friday and further hurt an already ailing economy.”

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“In Boston, dozens of protesters gathered outside the Puma flagship store in a popular shopping area to criticize the company’s ties to Israel, according to local NPR station WGBH,” Fox News Digital reports. “The outlet cited the company in stating that it provides Israel’s national soccer teams with branded equipment for international competitions.”

“Hundreds marching outside Somerset mall on Black Friday at today’s pro-Palestinian protest in Troy, Michigan,” independent journalist Brendan Gutenschwager posted on X.

Across America, the chant, “There is only one solution: Intifada revolution!” rang out.

Back in New York City, “Around 2,000 protesters gathered for a pro-Palestinian rally at Washington Square Park Friday with a laundry list of demands, including calling for a “permanent end to the occupation” of Gaza and dismantling the Israeli government,” according to the New York Post.

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“From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” they chanted — an antisemitic slogan that calls for Israel to be wiped from the map.

Samar, a member of the Palestinian Youth Movement warned the Post that the Black Friday protests were just the beginning.

“We are solidly committed, and every single day we will double, we will triple, we will quadruple that commitment until Palestine is free,” he said.

“We are going to keep fighting, keep raising our voices, until our demands are met,” another protestor said. “The White House are a Zionist instrument, they are puppets, their military bases, their corporate best friends, their conspirators all gathered together and orchestrated together the massacre of 14,000 beautiful Palestinians.”

A small group of Israelis pushed back against the demonstrators, as NYPD worked to keep the peace.

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The nationwide protests come just a day after demonstrators disrupted NYC’s annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Not surprisingly, Black Friday was quieter for the retailers who depend upon the pre-Christmas sales to make ends meet.

Reuters blamed inflation and a lack of “excitement” for the dip in sales. The outlet mentioned the protests only in passing.

“Brokerage TD Cowen lowered its U.S. holiday spending estimate to 2% to 3% growth, from 4% to 5%, as it forecast flat Black Friday traffic,” Reuters reports. “Discounts in October and November removed the excitement and urgency of Black Friday.”

“With many consumers squeezed by persistent inflation and high interest rates, U.S. holiday spending is expected to rise at the slowest pace in five years,” according to the outlet. “Most major retailers slashed their seasonal hiring. Retailers will likely continue to discount throughout the season to avoid inventory gluts at yearend.”

 

Melissa Fine
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