Former Mayoral Candidate Taking Part In Black Friday Boycott

Former independent mayoral candidate Jackie Green is joining Buy Nothing Day to highlight sustainability and over-consumption.The annual event is an international day of protest against purchasing items on Black Friday, which marks the beginning of Christmas shopping season. Social justice activists supporting the demonstration have gained more attention this year due in part to the Occupy Wall Street movement.Green owns the Bike Couriers Bike Shops. He says the three locations will be closed today to highlight the need to rein in consumption.“Part of the reason we are in the bicycle business is because bicycles are a sustainable form of transportation. And the Buy Nothing Day is an event that focuses on sustainable purchasing and consumption practices,” he says.Critics of the protest have argued those who do not participate on Black Friday can simply purchase items the next day or later on.However, Green says the public has to acknowledge the current levels of consumption cannot be maintained and people should live within their means.