In Europe, Black Friday is triggering fierce protests

WUSTERMARK, Germany — As environmental protesters were heading into Berlin to rally against the post-Thanksgiving shopping frenzy on Friday, others were heading the opposite direction on a hunt for the cheapest coats, socks or pants.

At an eastern German outlet mall in Wustermark — about half an hour’s drive from the German capital — global protests against the Black Friday tradition and its impact on the environment went largely unnoticed on Friday. Rushing from store to store, shoppers were predominantly concerned about long lines.

“I don’t care about the protests,” said pensioner Harry Pomerenke, 66, who had come with his wife to purchase Christmas gifts.

The Black Friday lines in front of European stores have grown in recent years, as the U.S. tradition has caught on here after long being ridiculed. This year, Black Friday sales are expected to top prior records in a number of European countries — despite protests across the continent this week.

Prominent climate activist Luisa Neubauer joined scores of protesters in central Berlin on Friday to advocate for a more environment-conscious shopping behavior, without “goods produced on the other side of the planet and shipped three times around,” she said. Meanwhile, in Rome, like-minded protesters carried signs that read “Green Friday,” with the word “Black” crossed out.