"D.I.Y./RE-GIFT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON: BOYCOTT BIG COMPANIES & RETAILERS

This is a proposal I plan to try to find support for and submit to the Oakland GA in the very near future, and I'm hoping it can get committed support from Occupiers elsewhere. To summarize: Consumer spending makes up 70% of economic activity in the U.S., and businesses make 25-40% of their profit during the holiday season. While our power as laborers in this country has been severely limited, we still have power as consumers. I propose that we refrain from buying holiday-related products (gifts, decorations, anything they're trying to boost sales for during the season) from the big companies at big retail chains this holiday season in favor of buying from small, local businesses and second-hand stores that benefit our communities, as well as making our own gifts and decorations. A lot of Americans will be cutting back on their holiday spending anyway, but we have the opportunity to turn the necessity to be frugal this year into a determined effort to reclaim our consumer power. If this were going to happen, it would need millions of participants, which means not only Occupiers getting involved, but Americans and consumers everywhere. I've already written the proposal, and the language is much more detailed and articulate than what I've written here. Questions, concerns, pros/cons, modifications, etc. are obviously welcome. If others are interested, please let me know if you'd like me to post the proposal in its entirety. You can also email me at oaklandcami@gmail.com.

Cami"

With regards to OaklandCami, we both have unifying goals to boycott the black friday event for 2011, as well as come up with a massive boycott event for major products, gas & oil companies, debt, bills, fast food companies, etc. etc. We will be coming up with more and more ideas of things to boycott, as well as alternatives to promote local businesses. If you have ideas to contribute, or want to promote local businesses from your area, please feel free to share. :)