Buy Nothing Day 2010

Saturday 27th November 2010 saw several actions taking place in the centre of Bradford to mark Buy Nothing Day, a global day of action to raise awareness of the dangers and pitfalls of rampant consumerism. The premise is a simple one and one that has now spread across the globe: go an entire day without buying anything.

Deliberately timed to occur as the pre-christmas panic march to the shops is just getting into full swing, the event is designed to make people think about the things they consume. The intended outcome is that people give some thought to the wider damage that excessive consumption can cause to the communities that are often exploited to produce goods at ever cheaper prices, and to the environment as these goods are disposed of when no longer wanted or required.

Links: Video interview with passing non-shoppers | Buy Nothing Day website | UK Zapatista Solidarity Network

Click on a thumbnail for a slideshow view

Bradford saw two seperate actions occuring in the city centre. The first was a free shop set up outside the abandoned retail unit where several large record chain ventures tried and failed to ply their trade, escaping as they realised that the internet means that their grip on the recorded music industry is no longer as tight as it once was. The free shop was a collaboration between members of the 1in12 club and the Woodcraft Folk, and goods were donated to give away for free by many across Bradford. On offer were items ranging from clothing to old punk LP's and the stall attracted a lot of interest from passing christmas shoppers, who seemed bewildered that people would just be giving the things they no longer needed away for free. "Think how much you could get for this on ebay" remarked one.

Volunteers on the stall braved the snow and bitter cold to give away leaflets explaining why they were there and chatting to passers by about the effects, both seen and hidden, of rampant consumerism.

Across the centre of town in Millenium Square, the local Zapatista Solidarity group set up stall outside Starbucks to give away free Zapatista coffee to potential customers of the chain. The damage that large chain coffee houses such as Starbucks and Costa do to the communities that produce the coffee beans at low prices and in poor conditions, to feed the demands for ever cheaper supply, are often unseen to the outside world. Starbucks in particular, through their partners Conservation International, have consistently encroached on the coffee producing areas of Chiapas and the indigenous communities there struggle in the face of the global might of the starbucks empire.

Starbucks are also one of the worst offenders for anti-union activities in their stores and areas of coffee production, and in their wake have left a trail of closed local coffee houses which previously helped to sustain the communities around them, unable to compete with the large multinationals and their aggressive pricing policies.

A member of the local Zapatista Solidaity group said "We are doing this action today to challenge Starbucks corporate domination of coffee. We are giving the people a taste of delicious Zapatista solidarity coffee to highlight the oppressive greenwash tactics of companies like Starbucks through an organisation called Conservation International."

"we hope to spread the word about why Starbucks are shite and about how the Zapatistas can provide an alternative way of living and organising. Also, being Buy Nothing Day, it is good to give people something that they don't need to pay for, which is infinitely more delicious than Starbucks products."

For more information about the link between Starbucks and the Zapatista struggle, see this Indymedia Scotland article.

Below is the text of the leaflets that were given away to liberated shoppers in Bradford

SHOP LESS LIVE MORE

We are not just Consumers.

Take a break from rampant consumerism once in a while…there is more to do on a Saturday than shop.

Free stuff to do:  Alternatives to shopping:

Free things to do in and around BRADFORD.

• Go for an autumn / winter walk: Wrap up warm though! Try Hardcastle crags, Heaton Woods, Shipley Glen and many more.
• There are walking groups that you can join, who are open to any age and ability. www.wfh.naturalengland.org.uk
• Visit Museums and Galleries – The Media Museum is fantastic, see photography, old TV history, and TV plays, in TV heaven, see new and old art for free at many local galleries.
• Grow some food: You can get involved in establishing a 2.5 acre permaulture project called 'Horton Community Farm' in Great Horton, Bradford by contacting jonathan[removethisbracketedpart]@hcf [dot] co [uk]. They have work sessions every Thursday at 2pm. Also see www.hcf.org.uk
• Volunteer some time to a local charity or organisation, you can learn so much in any field.
  http://www.divabradford.org.uk/ or http://www.volunteeringbradford.org/contactus4iframe.htm
• Make presents: You can find amazing ideas online for gifts you can make, inc. Herbal bath treats, bags using recycled materials, cards, bread, biscuits, make your own clothes too… there are online instructions and advice for where to learn.
  http://www.do-it-yourself-gifts.com/ or http://www.mookychick.co.uk/diy_ethic/make-cheap-christmas-gift-ideas.php
• Listen to BCB radio, your local radio station, with a lot of info about free local events.
• Go on Cycle rides, If you have a bike already that is. You can get a bike second hand cheap too.
• Go for a run with friends. Find your local park and enjoy.
• Many pubs and clubs have free open mike / jam session nights… check in your local areas. Think of other free and fun activities.
• And if you want to find a new home for some of your things try -   http://www.freecycle.org/

Christmas: Be Ready–Buy Lots! Many of the toys and presents we buy this Christmas will be a five-minute wonder before lying unused and unwanted and heading towards an end in landfill…..FACT.
                                     Buying more will not make you happier….FACT.

Contact email: imc-northern@lists.indymedia.org