By Sophy Martinez

SAN JOSE, CALIF.— On Nov. 24, Black Friday shopping was disrupted with Palestine Protesters sts in malls, including in San Jose. 

Many people were excited to go shopping for exclusive deals in stores for Black Friday. However, people stopped to watch big groups of free Palestine protesters chant, speak out, march, and even lay down on the ground. 

Reportedly over 1000 Bay Area residents went to  Westfield Valley Fair Mall in California to protest for Palestine. This specific location was selected, because it is the largest shopping mall in NorCal, (the 13th largest shopping mall in the U.S.) and makes the most revenue of all shopping malls in California.  The mall has various brand name stores which many support Israel, including Apple, Levis, Chanel, Michael Kors, Sephora, and Prada. 

These protesters held it specifically where they knew many people would be at. To demonstrate to others there are more important things than shopping and money. The goal was to disrupt Black Friday as much as possible and gain attention to their cause. Protesters fought for the ceasefire in Gaza and raise awareness of the people that are experiencing genocide. 

Valley Fair Free Palestine Protest

By Jessica Martinez

Protestors laid on the mall floor with bags covering their bodies to show the fallen people of Palestine. Many videos surfaced on the internet as the protests went viral on social media. Some videos surfaced of pro Israel people that spat on palestine protesters. “It was very nice to see that people are willing to fight for each other. We need to make a change to help the people in Gaza and this totally demonstrated to those big companies how much we care” said Silver Creek student Jessica Martinez, who had witnessed the protest in Valley Fair Mall. 

The protest was organized by Silicon Valley for Palestine, Palestinian Youth Movement, Black Outreach, Hero Tent, Party for Socialism and Liberation, and Freedom Road Socialist Organization. Although there was no change in the Israel – Palestine conflict, they are raising awareness of the situation and continue to disrupt sales in major supporting Israel companies that sends a message of the power of the people.