Black Friday Boycott: Pro-Palestine Protesters Rally in Downtown Santa Monica

On Friday, November 29, 2024, protests broke out in Downtown Santa Monica during Black Friday, coinciding with the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Demonstrators gathered to call for an end to U.S. aid to Israel and urged a boycott of holiday shopping to draw attention to their cause. Protesters blocked traffic along Broadway Avenue near Santa Monica Place Mall, chanting slogans in support of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Chants such as "Free, free, Palestine" and "The people united will never be defeated" resonated through the streets as the group marched from Tongva Park to the downtown shopping district. The protests temporarily shut down traffic on Broadway between 2nd and 4th Streets as activists rallied in front of the bustling mall, calling for consumers to join the boycott and stand in solidarity with Palestine. Organizers emphasized the connection between consumer activism and global advocacy, urging participants to resist economic systems they believe perpetuate conflict. Similar demonstrations were reported in cities worldwide as part of a broader movement aligning with the start of the holiday shopping season to amplify calls for justice and solidarity with the Palestinian people.