On September 10th, in response to an attack on September 3rd by an armed security guard on a man at the checkout counter – protesters converged at the Whole Foods at Harrison and Twenty-Seventh St in Oakland where the incident had taken place. This is how it came down.
What’s Happening?
Happening now: PICKET WHOLE FOODS! STOP ANTI-BLACK VIOLENCE!! https://t.co/apCDfIWS7j
— Miguel (@guelo) September 11, 2015
Why’s It Happening?
Black folks organized, took the #wholefoods and held them accountable #oakland #blacklivesmatter @drmcclain pic.twitter.com/yFSIqJBavo
— Hella-Erby (@hella_erby) September 11, 2015
Lawsuit Likely Following Alleged Assault by Whole Foods Store Guard in Oakland http://t.co/pc909e510e
— KQED News (@KQEDnews) September 10, 2015
There’s something about Whole Foods’ customers, only one person objected as a man was beaten unconscious?
— Miguel (@guelo) September 11, 2015
The Demands:
- Disarm all security guards.
- Compensate for the pain, suffering and humiliation of the attack victim.
- Issue a public apology.
- Suspend all managers on duty that night, as well as the employees who called for more backup rather than calling the paramedics.
- Provide discounts and giveaways for EBT customers, in solidarity with the working families being displaced from the area.
- Require on-going staff training on how anti-Black racism functions within customer service.
The Protest Begins.
Shame on Whole Foods! #yourhandsarestained #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/svaHR3iK0y
— QTPOC Liberation (@QTPOCLiberation) September 11, 2015
Protesters picket Oakland Whole Foods 1 week after assault by store security left young Black man bloodied. pic.twitter.com/uYpL0VCBHN
— Darwin BondGraham (@DarwinBondGraha) September 11, 2015
After reports of security guard attack on customer using EBT, protestors occupy, shut down Oakland’s @WholeFoods. pic.twitter.com/Q664ck4JVZ
— Liz Mak (@elizabethjmak) September 11, 2015
Legal Action Too.
Attorney John Burris is representing the young man attacked by security guard at Oakland Whole Foods store. pic.twitter.com/AWUroHT3gI
— Darwin BondGraham (@DarwinBondGraha) September 11, 2015
Victim’s attorney: “Oakland PD has not responded to requests for an incident report & the guard has not been identified” Why? Whole Foods
— Mike Oakenshield (@myecoll) September 11, 2015
The Action Moves Inside the Store.
Picket outside. Protest inside Oakland @WholeFoods. Protesters blocking almost all checkout stands. pic.twitter.com/5z1P8nvIaa
— David DeBolt (@daviddebolt) September 11, 2015
Black activists lead protest inside Whole Foods. #yourhandsarestained #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/hHA3vuyFFY
— QTPOC Liberation (@QTPOCLiberation) September 11, 2015
Registers have been disrupted! #yourhandsarestained #BlackLivesMatter #nobusinessasusual pic.twitter.com/HpffU89uPL
— QTPOC Liberation (@QTPOCLiberation) September 11, 2015
Activists are demanding public apology, ongoing training 4 #wholefoods staff. #yourhandsarestained #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/Z9lPO7i2Mk
— QTPOC Liberation (@QTPOCLiberation) September 11, 2015
RT: @WholeFoods If we don’t get it well shut it down #BlackLivesMatter #oakland pic.twitter.com/QniWt5xUCc
— ColorOfChange.org (@ColorOfChange) September 11, 2015
“Don’t fear the revolution, Black power is the solution” #BlackLivesMatter @WholeFoods #oakland pic.twitter.com/nKFl3ATws4
— ColorOfChange.org (@ColorOfChange) September 11, 2015
“Your actions show how very little you value Black lives.” #yourhandsarestained #BlackLivesMatter #boycottwholefoods pic.twitter.com/XfWxXc0qf2
— QTPOC Liberation (@QTPOCLiberation) September 11, 2015
Hey, @WholeFoods, ending the contract is not enough. Disarm ALL #wholefoods guards pic.twitter.com/f7U69FiW4j
— ColorOfChange.org (@ColorOfChange) September 11, 2015
Things getting a bit physical as Whole Foods tries to continue to do business in middle of protest.
— Miguel (@guelo) September 11, 2015
Sad when people value convenient shopping over racial and economic justice. #YourHandsAreStained #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/tgJqNJp9iO
— Jack Aponte (@jackaponte) September 11, 2015
Another look inside Whole Foods #Oakland protest. @CatsCommentary says they will block lines for 1 hour, till 6:30 pic.twitter.com/WkHC0WKITU
— David DeBolt (@daviddebolt) September 11, 2015
White people are trying to push past the picket line. #yourhandsarestained #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/gLOusCe9lg
— QTPOC Liberation (@QTPOCLiberation) September 11, 2015
Protesters Leave – Whole Foods Shuts Itself Down!
Protesters voluntarily filing out of Whole Foods.
— Miguel (@guelo) September 11, 2015
“We gotta leave, but we’re not done. ” pic.twitter.com/gvbnrs7BtP
— Liz Mak (@elizabethjmak) September 11, 2015
Annnnnd whole foods is closed!!!
— Anti Police-Terror (@APTPaction) September 11, 2015
Store closed at about 6:30. No arrests. Store typically closes at 10 p.m. Unclear if they’ll reopen. #Oakland
— David DeBolt (@daviddebolt) September 11, 2015
Successful action over though Whole Foods is still shutdown. pic.twitter.com/qNBDm1wmSE
— Miguel (@guelo) September 11, 2015
It’s funny because Whole Foods insisted on staying open during the protest but now they’re closed after everyone left.
— Miguel (@guelo) September 11, 2015
A Parting Note.
Burris said young man attacked by Whole Foods security guard expected to “fully recover,” but remembers little. pic.twitter.com/aQm4jhkdKl
— Darwin BondGraham (@DarwinBondGraha) September 11, 2015
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