Stop Shopping! Buy Nothing Day NYC 2008

by lefty_liberated | November 28, 2008 at 04:02 pm

508 views | 76 Recommendations | 12 comments

Reverend Billy & The Church of Stop Shopping hit the streets today as early as 4am to meet shoppers in their annual Buy Nothing Day tradition (Celebrated Nov. 28th in the U.S. and Nov. 29th Internationally) at Macy's in NYC. According to the video footage they had to leave the store pretty quickly to avoid arrest.

"At 5 AM -- the High Altar moment of Consumerism, the Macy's front-door, opening on Black Friday. The shopocalyptic whirlwind was far more modest this year. Seemed like bridge and tunnel kids with the occasional young family. Under a thousand people we estimate - The Buy Nothing Day is growing and the moving-into-the-Black is weakening as America forges its quiet revolution.", The Rev said on his blog.

Billy was stormed by shoppers at the entrance echoing the sad story of the Long Island Wal-Mart clerk killed that morning. Reverand Billy issued a public statement about the tragedy.

The group was also steaming about a promotion being held in Times Square. Starbucks handed out cups of coffee to promote working with the (Red) campaign. The store intends to give only 5 cents per cup of coffee to the African HIV group. Ironically, the ad campaign costs 50 million dollars according to Savitri D.

On the Groups website these organizations were listed as a better alternative for giving to Africa:

Doctors Without Borders

Oxfam International

Later, the group met for a dance-a-thon in Union Square Park where revelers could exclaim, according to the group, "A DJ saved my mortgage!"

3 See all footage | View Slideshow

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josiemitchell

at 16:24 on November 28th, 2008

Hey I've never heard of this guy, Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping. He's an activist performer who "preaches" the word of lowering your consumerist habits. I can't believe he was almost arrested! Especially after the death in the Long Island Wal-Mart.

josiemitchell

at 16:26 on November 28th, 2008

Oh and check out this Buy Nothing Day article.

Amy Judd

at 16:44 on November 28th, 2008

This day was crazy - everyone thought that because of the economy the numbers of shoppers would be down, however it seems like the numbers were just as high if not higher than last year.

Jennings David L

at 18:56 on November 28th, 2008

After hearing of the Wal Mart death this Billy might be on to something. Good report.

sara star

at 19:05 on November 28th, 2008

This is the first year that I have heard of BND. I think it will catch on over time. Maybe even be a holiday some day!

There doesn't seem to be a consensus as to when this day actually is. I read somewhere that it was the fourth Thursday of November, then someone said it was tomorrow, Sat.29. So that is when I am going for it.

It makes a great statement. I imagine it would be a disaster for corporations. Can you imagine if all of us didn't buy gas for one day..... Or all the malls were empty??

All because of Dave, thank you.

Jon Azpiri

at 19:43 on November 28th, 2008

While Reverend Billy continues to draw crowds, the founder of Buy Nothing Day remains relatively unknown.

Paschen

at 19:44 on November 28th, 2008

Milieunet

at 23:25 on November 28th, 2008

Nice action, but no real impact. People just go shopping on another day.

What really helps is changing our attitude.

Buy only what you need. don't buy everything you like.

munty13

at 03:00 on November 29th, 2008

Bah - humbug.

Mikko Huotari

at 05:03 on November 29th, 2008

Reverend Billy gave a speech in Helsinki, Finland. All the remarkable Finnish media was there. Fabulous.

Mikko Huotari has contributed a photo to this story.

hssn

at 20:22 on November 29th, 2008

I'm always so glad when the Good Word is shared - that of creating an empowered, local economy and rejecting the borg-like presence of multinational corporations and the disempowerment of the individual and communities that results. The highly esteemed Rev. Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping is doing us all an incredible service with their work and sacrifice - for BND and beyond! If you haven't seen their film yet ('What Would Jesus Buy'), you must - and give it to everyone you know for the holidays, even if the act is done with a sense of great irony (purchasing/consuming). Preach on!

*BTW, be sure to check out http://www.revbilly.com/

hssn has contributed a photo to this story.