Charleston faith leaders launch Fasting Fridays boycott to protest white nationalist power – WPDE

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CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — A coalition of Charleston-area faith leaders, community members, and activists is urging Americans to join a nationwide monetary boycott called "Fasting Fridays."
The initiative, set to begin with a press conference at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 18, at Circular Congregational Church, aims to challenge what the group describes as a white nationalist takeover of the federal government.
The boycott, inspired by historical movements like the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the anti-apartheid BDS movement, calls for participants to abstain from spending money every Friday. The action is a response to the anniversary of the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting and the shooter's prediction of a white nationalist rise to power.
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Rev. Charles Heyward, co-chair of Everyday People, explained the group's stance: "Every day, white supremacists kidnap Everyday People who also happen to be immigrants. Every day, white supremacists work to erase jobs, funding, and resources from programs. Every day, people rely on the Department of Education, Social Security, Section 8, SNAP, and Medicaid."
Rev. Shoemaker, the other co-chair, added, "Here in America, we are all forced to live in the shadow of white supremacist and white nationalist violence, from mass shootings in Charleston, Buffalo, Colorado Springs, Pittsburgh, and Orlando to the ongoing racist violence of policing and incarceration. We've had enough."
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The group has outlined ten benchmarks for progress, including demands related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, reproductive rights, trans health and safety, immigration, policing, disability justice, education, economic justice, Palestine, and the environment.
The kickoff event was initially planned to take place at the former site of the Calhoun Statue, followed by a march to City Hall. However, the city denied the group a permit to assemble, prompting them to relocate to Lance Hall at Circular Congregational Church. The group is appealing the permit denial, which they argue violates their First Amendment rights.
Everyday People, the grassroots organization behind the initiative, encourages participants nationwide to develop local benchmarks to dismantle white supremacist power and influence.

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