How to Turn an “#EconomicBlackout” Into an All-Out War on #CorporatePower

Friday’s economic boycott is a one-day attack on corporate interests. The #degrowth movement calls for a broader societal shift.

Jonah Valdez, February 28 2025

Excerpt: "Rooted in the work of American and European political theorists of the 1970s, the 'degrowth' movement criticizes a #capitalist system that seeks unending growth and profit, which has led to #ecological and #environmental ruin such as the impacts of #ClimateChange.

"Instead, it advocates for a system that prioritizes the needs of the #planet and its people, such as #housing, #education, and #healthcare. According to Jason Hickel, a leading advocate of degrowth and author of 'Less is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World,' the movement calls for reducing consumption and production of things that harm the planet such #FossilFuels, #SUVs, #PrivateJets, #mansions, #FastFashion, #IndustrialBeef, #CruiseShips, and the #MilitaryIndustrialComplex.

"While the term may be unfamiliar to many Americans, its core ideas have cropped up in the Green New Deal’s goals of a post-fossil fuel economy; the pandemic-era phenomenon of white-collar workers voluntarily quitting their jobs and working less; and the recent social media trend of '#NoBuy,' which encouraged people to purchase less and #repurpose more.

"'People are getting a sense that they’re ripped off, that they’re being taken advantage of and exploited as consumers,' said Aaron Vansintjan, co-author of 'The Future Is Degrowth: A Guide to a World Beyond Capitalism.' 'It is promising that people are responding to the current moment by showing their distrust of these corporations.'

"The boycott has drawn wide–ranging media coverage, along with the attention of some celebrities. It also caught the attention of #LindaSarsour, a progressive activist best known for organizing the 2017 #WomensMarch after #Trump’s first election.

"'It is an easy risk-free way to invite masses of people to act in reaction to the outrageousness of this Administration,' Sarsour told The Intercept in an email."

https://theintercept.com/2025/02/28/no-buy-nothing-corporation-boycott-capitalism-degrowth/
#CorporateColonialism #Corporatocracy #RepairCafes #LibraryOfThings #ReuseRepairRecycle #CircularEconomy #CapitalismKills #EnvironmentalDamage #USPol #WorldPol #CapitalismMustDie #PlannedObsolescence #ProtectMotherEarth

#PortlandME - #RepairCafé

Free! Saturday, June 8, 10am - 2pm, Eldredge Lumber and Hardware, 145 Presumpscot St., Portland ME

"Join us for an afternoon of learning and repairing while we reduce waste and promote sustainability in our community. Bring your broken household items such as small appliances, wooden furniture, bicycles, clothes, and more. Our team of skilled #Fixers will teach you how repair them for free!

"Think cozy coffee shop meets your dad’s workshop, meets your grandma’s knitting circle: a bright, bustling and inviting setting that has every tool for the job accessible to you and your expert volunteer. Yarn, nails, sewing machines, saws and hammers, etc. await those excited to take a stand against wasteful manufacturing practices.

"The Repair Café will feature designated workspaces for repairing small appliances, bicycles, textiles, and more. It will also be the home of comfy couches and sitting areas for those wanting to connect with like-minded community members. Need to fix your favorite sweater? Imagine someone guiding you through knitting a patch. Have a broken fan? There’s someone with electrical experience waiting for you at a workbench with all the necessary tools and parts. This is what we imagine the Repair Café can do for the community.

Repair Menu

- Bike repair/maintenance
- Small electrical appliances
- Furniture
- Knife sharpening
- Toys
- Audio/Visual equipment
- Smartphones
- Textiles
- Jewelry
- Lamps
- Vacuums
- Clocks
- And more!

FMI:
https://sustainabilityforme.org/repair-cafe/
#SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #RightToRepair #ReuseRepairRecycle #MaineRepairCafes #RepairCafesMaine #SouthernMaine #RepairCafes

A lot of my friends have used #MaineShoeRepair services to repair well-worn shoes and boots!

#Maine: #Cobblers and #RepairShops see shift in consumer habits to fix what's broken

Story by Caroline LeCour, March 22, 2025

"While modern consumer habits may drive a lot of people to simply replace things that have fallen into disrepair, there are many in Maine who are instead choosing to fix items that are broken.

"Steven Foss, owner of Maine Shoe Repair in #SouthPortlandME, said he has noticed a change in quality of materials of shoes over the past 38 years he's been in business.

"'Back in the day, all of the shoes were sewn on. Glued and sewn on. Now, the majority of them are just glued,' Foss said.

"He said the change in manufacturing highlights a shift in quality that has altered both his work and the shoe industry at large. Foss is one of only a few cobblers left in Maine, and he is committed offering affordable repair services, despite rising supply and equipment costs."

Source:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/cobblers-and-repair-shops-see-shift-in-consumer-habits-to-fix-whats-broken/ar-AA1BsA7R
#RepairShops #RightToRepair #ReuseRepairRecycle #SolarPunkSunday #ShoeRepair

#NewburyportMA: They can fix it: Annual spring #RepairCafe returning soon

By Jim Sullivan | Mar 20, 2025

NEWBURYPORT — "Folks hoping to get their bicycles fixed, their garden tools sharpened or even their house lamps mended should visit the Newburyport Senior/Community Center on Saturday, April 5, for the Time Trade Network of Greater Newburyport’s annual spring Repair Café.

"Taking place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., the free event features over 30 local volunteers adept at tinkering with small appliances, textiles, jewelry, bikes, small wooden items and even mechanical clocks.

"Knife sharpening, as well as garden hand tool sharpening along with some expert advice on chair caning will also be offered.

"'We want to encourage people to have their items repaired instead of putting them into the waste stream,' event organizer Elizabeth Marcus said. 'They can also get to see just how easy and fun it can sometimes be.'

"The #TimeTradeNetwork of Greater Newburyport is a group of local volunteers willing and eager to share their knowledge as well as talents with one another.

At the Repair Café, people can bring up to three small, clean items then watch while each is repaired on the spot."

Read more:
https://www.newburyportnews.com/news/local_news/they-can-fix-it-annual-spring-repair-cafe-returning-soon/article_910b622e-036a-11f0-a2e7-2750de8b8398.html

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/aSRM8#
#SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #RightToRepair #ReuseRepairRecycle #MassachusettsRepairCafes #TimeDollarNetwork #TimeDollars #TimeBanks #RepairCafeNewburyport

HT @jam

"Right to Repair is a vital part of Canada's path to economic resilience, and a sustainable future #canpoli "

https://theconversation.com/bolstering-canadas-right-to-repair-could-shield-it-against-u-s-tariffs-and-trade-uncertainty-248970
#RightToRepair #SolarPunkSunday #SolarPunk #Resilience #ReuseRepairRecycle

The US #RightToRepair movement is growing as wins stack up

Story by Iris Kim, March 9, 2025

"Peter Mui, founder of #Fixit Clinic, describes his repair work as a hobby that’s gotten out of control. What started as a tool share in Berkeley, California, has turned into a volunteer-run group that has organized more than 1,300 repair events around the country. At Fixit Clinics, people can bring any broken household item — from worn socks to broken toasters — and learn how to make them functional again.

"'During the last few years, interest in repair has exploded,' Mui said.

"He attributes this cultural shift to a growing awareness about the #environmental impact of #EWaste, as well as a raft of 'right-to-repair' laws passing across the U.S. Historically, manufacturers of computers, cars and tractors have cited copyright law to claim exclusive repair rights, allowing them to sue independent repair companies while preventing consumers from finding lower-cost alternatives.

"But in six states — California, Colorado, Minnesota, Maine, New York and Oregon — #RightToRepair laws have been passed to protect consumers’ ability to repair or modify their products instead of having to go through the manufacturer. Oregon’s law is the most recent, passing in 2024 and going into effect in January.

"As of March, right-to-repair bills had been introduced in all 50 states, and 20 state legislatures are currently debating such bills.

"The laws take different forms. Some narrowly target automobile manufacturers while others are broad enough to cover all consumer electronics. Though bipartisan federal legislation for automobile repair stalled last year, it was reintroduced last month."

Read more:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/the-right-to-repair-movement-is-growing-as-wins-stack-up/ar-AA1Ay4hH
#PlannedObsolescence #SolarPunkSunday #RepairCafes #ReuseRepairRecycle

if kamala harris had saved some money while being vp she wouldn't need fucking handouts now #mastodonforharris #buyused #reuserepairrecycle