Protesters call for consumer strike in support of a permanent ceasefire in Palestine inside Providence Place Mall
They also called for an "Immediate Arms Embargo on Israel."
Around two dozen people gathered on the first floor of the Providence Place Mall as part of the national “U.S. Consumer Strike for a Permanent Ceasefire in Palestine and Immediate Arms Embargo on Israel.”
Eight people, wrapped in death shrouds, laid down on the mall floor across from Santa Claus, each body accompanied by a “mourner” wearing a traditional Palestinian keffiyeh. Two people held a banner that said, “WE ARE POWERFUL: JOIN THE CONSUMER STRIKE FOR PALESTINE! SHOP SMALL & SHOP LOCAL” while others dropped and displayed a banner from the second floor that said, “CONSUMER STRIKE 4 PALESTINE NOV. 28TH TO JANUARY 1ST CONSUMERSTRIKE4PALESTINE.COM.”
A few other people passed out flyers to passersby, explaining the protest in more detail and including a list of local businesses supporting their movement.
The flyer explained:
WHY A CONSUMER STRIKE?
Millions worldwide have joined protests, written and called elected officials, and participated in direct actions to end the U.S.-funded genocide in Palestine. Yet our government isn’t listening.
But there is one thing our politicians do listen to: money.
Using collective power, U.S. consumers have influenced issues from farm worker rights to foreign policy. We can do it again now, as we demand a permanent ceasefire in Palestine and an arms embargo on Israel.
We call on you to JOIN US by making a personal commitment to limit non-essential spending from Black Friday to the New Year and to bring in 5+ people to join you. Money talks. Make them listen!
In a statement, protesters explained:
“On December 1, 2024, 45 activists staged a die-in and banner drop in the Providence Place Mall to call attention to the Consumer Strike for Palestine. In addition to bringing attention to the fact that there is still an active genocide in Gaza, funded by the United States government and Rhode Island taxpayers, this action invited shoppers at the mall and residents of Providence to halt their non-essential corporate spending from Black Friday through New Year. As the die-in proceeded, activists gave out flyers to passersby with information on why people should engage in a general strike, as well as local businesses to support.
“Business as usual cannot continue as the genocide against Palestine continues with the full backing of the United States. Annually, corporations rely on the time between Black Friday and New Year's to generate a profit, and thus, this moment provides everyday people with an opportunity to take back their power. Despite the fact that the majority of Americans support a ceasefire and an arms embargo on Israel, our politicians are not listening. They will listen to money. It is time that we demonstrate our commitment to a free Palestine and an end to the US’s funding of genocide.”
“You can learn more about the Consumer Strike for Palestine and sign a strike card here: https://consumerstrike4palestine.org/”
Mall security personnel informed the protesters they were on private property, implying they had no right to protest there. The Providence Police Department arrived in about 15 minutes, and the protesters dispersed without incident, chanting, “Free, Free Palestine!”
