Public Statement From Reverend Billy On Wal-Mart Casualties In Long Island

Reverend Billy from the Church of Stop Shopping, internationally known advocate of "Buy Nothing Day" and opposer of big box chain stores, has released a statement of mourning for the deaths at the Valley Stream Wal-Mart in Long Island. The statement will be read at a 3:00pm EST event at Union Square in Manhattan, planned to celebrate Buy Nothing Day:

"A young man was trampled this morning at the Black Friday opening of the Valley Stream Wal-Mart in Long Island, New York. He was a stock clerk trying to help the crowd, which rushed in at 5:00 AM for the so-called "doorbuster" discount deals. A pregnant woman nearby fell and suffered a miscarriage.

The Black Friday rush at the big box door is a symbol of an era that is ending. It is a ritual when speedy greed is a kind of fun, and the violence of these doorbustings in years' past got media comments like, "Well that's our America... but that's the economy!" No, it is Consumerism, a system of money and products that is now crashing down. We are returning to local and more compassionate economies.

The Reverend's Prayer:
May this be remembered as a time when we repaired our relationships, when we began to care for our neighbors again. We're sorry that these two became sacrifices so that Love will be even more clear. Amen."

More information: http://www.revbilly.com