Unable to prevent the day of “Black Friday” from taking place, the activists of the environmental movement Extinction Rebellion (XR) did everything to disrupt this day as much as possible, a symbol for them of the “obsession with overconsumption”. The organization has thus organized blockades of distribution centers of the giant Amazon in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe as a sign of protest.
The 13 British sites targeted early in the morning represent, according to Extinction Rebellion, more than half of the deliveries of the American group in the country. The organization said it is also targeting two sites in Germany and the Netherlands.
Purchases “we don’t need”
At the Scottish center of Dunfermline, around 20 activists were preventing vehicles from entering and some from leaving, the Press Association reported. “This action aims to expose Amazon’s crimes while making an example of a larger economic system designed to push us to buy things we don’t need at a price we can’t afford,” he said. Extinction Rebellion explained in a statement.
In the Netherlands, environmental activists blocked access to an Amazon depot at Amsterdam airport. According to photos by the Dutch news agency ANP, a group of less than a dozen people stood in front of the warehouse, asking the distribution giant on a banner “to stop exploiting workers and the planet.” “. “Amazon employees are faced with short-term contracts, long working days, low wages and scheduled toilet breaks,” denounced the Dutch branch of the group on Twitter.
Amazon committed to carbon neutrality by 2040
For XR, known for its spectacular blocking actions in recent years, “Black Friday” is not compatible with a livable planet. Amazon said it is working to use its network in a way that minimizes the consequences for its customers. “We take our responsibilities seriously, this includes our commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040,” said a spokesperson for the group often criticized for its social and fiscal practices.
He assured to provide “a safe and modern working environment” and support “tens of thousands of small businesses that sell” on his platform. Amazon, which launched its promotional campaign on Thursday, is concentrating most of the attacks on promotional offers offered by many merchants on Friday, kicking off the Christmas shopping season.
“Make Amazon Pay” (Make Amazon Pay), an international coalition of around 40 organizations, including Greenpeace and Oxfam, accuses the Seattle group of placing profits before the well-being of its employees and supports employees wishing to demonstrate against their working conditions or go on strike on Friday. In the United Kingdom, the federation representing independent retailers (Bira) estimates that 85% of these small traders will boycott “Black Friday”.