Buy Nothing Day
A number of celebratory events were
organized in
— A FREE MARKET with lots of
books, clothes, tapes, dvds and toys. All for people
to take away (free) to promote re-using items rather than binning and
re-buying.
— FLYERS: Aliens, sambistas,
singers and students gave out flyers on Buy Nothing Day and reusing and
recycling. Awareness was also raised regarding ethical shopping, asking people
to think about the environmental damages that different products may contribute
to.
— A SAMBA BAND, Rhythms of
Resistance Manchester, entertained hundreds of people with samba encouraging them
to “Stop Buying Start Dancing.” The band was joined by singers and poets too!
The sambistas entered the Triangle Shopping Centre, with a banner and flyers
and full samba swing. The acoustics were great and the band sounded excellent –
though the security guards soon pushed the sambistas out. The sambistas
re-entered through the other door in clowning fluffy loving style. The tough
security guards were liberated with samba rhythms, as they smiled to the fun of
RORM!
— GAMES were played in the
shopping centres, reclaiming the space from a mad buying zombie area to a space
of friendships, fun and positivity. The games engaged young people and shoppers
too!
— BANNER FLOAT (the action
which was also known in code: “banner drops, they are so last year sweetie
darling!”): A banner suspended by 28 helium balloons was released next to the
Christmas tree in the Arndale Shopping Centre. The banner which simply stated
“Buy Nothing Day” was admired by hundreds turning the shopping centre in a
beautiful space! The banner float was accompanied by more flyering.
Read about more great Buy Nothing
Day initiatives at http://www.adbusters.org/metas/eco/bnd/ and find fun films about Buy Nothing
Day on http://youtube.com