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In recent years, there has been increasing controversy about stores that are insisting on beginning Black Friday early by opening on Thanksgiving Day and forcing their employees to work. For many retail and restaurant employees, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day are the only days that the businesses are closed and therefore their only guaranteed family time.

It’s a travesty. People who stand for fairness and the American worker don’t like it.

From a leaked memo from mall management to its retailers, we can see that it’s not always the fault of the stores. It seems that management of shopping centers and malls makes these decisions.

Via?the Boycott Black?Thursday Facebook page:

Still think malls aren’t abusing their stores? Check out this insane memo sent to store managers at the Westfield Connecticut Post Mall on November 5, announcing their “final approved extended holiday hours” with only a few weeks notice before Thanksgiving.

“Please disregard the holiday hours you have received previously. The attached calendar outlines the final approved extended holiday hours … Connecticut Post will open at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving and will remain open through 10 p.m. on Black Friday. Opening at 6 p.m. is mandatory.”

“If you or your employees have questions or concerns regarding holiday hours, we ask that you refrain from posting on social media sites…”

See the memo?below:

The Westfield Connecticut Post is a three-story shopping mall located in Milford, Connecticut.

As consumers, we of course are part of the problem. It’s our job, if we disagree with the practice, to refuse to shop. The few of us who are principled about this won’t make an impact, however. But again, it’s principle. Let’s?commit to standing with the American worker.

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Tiffany Willis is a fifth-generation Texan and the founder and editor-in-chief of Liberal America. An unapologetic member of the Christian Left, she has spent most of her career actively working with ?the least of these? and disadvantaged and oppressed populations. She’s passionate about their struggles. To stay on top of topics she discusses,?like her?Facebook page,?follow her on Twitter, or?connect with her via LinkedIn. She also has?a?grossly neglected personal blog?and a?literary quotes blog that is a labor of love. Find her somewhere and join the discussion.

