“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It&rsq

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It’s that time of year again. Stand with us and communities around the country on 11/23 for our fifth annual #BlackoutBlackFriday. Join us for a nationwide boycott and day of action on Black Friday, the biggest retail shopping day of the year, to spark change and stand united against racial, economic and social injustices. Launched in 2014, #BlackoutBlackFriday is a call-to-action encouraging all of us to use Black Friday as a day of action to make our voices heard on the issues that matter most like police brutality, mass incarceration, environmental racism, voter suppression, other forms of discrimination and more. 

Our lives are joined by the money we spend as consumers. Today, more than ever, the levers of power – civic, corporate, industrial, capital – are tied to one another and to our economy. The US economy depends on our shopping, especially during the holiday season. But the lives of our brothers and sisters are worth more than the dollars we can save on holiday gifts. Together, we can make a historic stand against racism and spark change. Let’s demonstrate our unity. #BlackoutBlackFriday is an inclusive and intersectional movement that fights for all of our brothers and sisters, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, creed, religion, nationality or gender. #BlackoutBlackFriday is deeply rooted in the revolutionary power of the people, the potent power of hope, the radical power of dissent and the influential power of artists. Together, we have the power to make our voices heard.

In the coming days, we’ll be announcing free Blackout events for Black Friday. In partnership with The Film Society of Lincoln Center we’re hosting a special event in New York City featuring a special screening and conversation with filmmaker, producer, director, artist, and musician Terence Nance, creator of the acclaimed HBO series “Random Acts of Flyness”. Nance will be joined in conversation by filmmaker Michèle Stephenson of Rada Film Group. This event will be free and open to the public. RSVP HERE.

Blackout for Human Rights is a collective of artists, activists, filmmakers, celebrities, religious leaders and concerned citizens who commit their energy and resources to immediately address the staggering level of human rights violations and injustices against our fellow brothers and sisters throughout the United States. Blackout has hosted national protest actions, donation drives, and special events including #BlackoutBlackFriday, MLK Now, Blackout Festival, #JusticeForFlint and more. Founded by Filmmaker Ryan Coogler in 2014, Blackout is comprised of both high visibility and everyday citizens including Ava DuVernay, Michael B. Jordan, Charles King, Jesse Williams, John Burris, Pastor Michael McBride, Scott Budnick, David Oyelowo, Will Packer, Marlon Wayans and more.

For more information, please follow Blackout for Human Rights on Instagram,TwitterandFacebook. For press and general questions, please email us at [email protected].