Protests, Stabbing Surround Black Friday on Long Island

LongIsland.com

The Black Friday craziness did not let up this year.

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Following an altercation on Black Friday, a man was slashed at the Tanger Outlets in Riverhead yesterday. The victim was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
 
Although we do not have too many details on the incident, the story definitely brings up some significant questions about the annual tradition of braving the crowds and the dangers of Black Friday.
 
Most of the people you see waiting in line at 3 a.m. the morning after Thanksgiving are innocent enough. They are simply looking for a good deal for holiday gifts and getting their holiday shopping out of the way for the year. But are the dangers of Black Friday really worth the deals?
 
The slashing in Riverhead is hardly the first time someone has been severely injured during the Black Friday madness. In 2008, a 34-year-old Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death by in Valley Stream a stampede of Black Friday shoppers.
 
Of course, this won’t stop businesses from offering the discounts that drive these dangerous crowds out to their stores year after year. You can’t blame them either - as long as people are willing to sacrifice a night traditionally reserved for friends and family, it will still just be smart business to take advantage.
 
However, there is a group of Wal-Mart employees that may disagree with that statement. Many Wal-Mart employees throughout the country actually protested Black Friday this year, demanding higher wages.
 
Again, are the discounts worth the dangers?
 
Remember, Black Friday is not your only option for great holiday deals. Many businesses offer Black Friday discounts online as well. And don’t forget about Cyber Monday - most online stores will be offer great online deals.
 
Nobody expects people to not continue to join the crowds each year. But maybe it would be best to simply reconsider your options when it comes to holiday shopping. Why risk being pushed, shoved, trampled, stabbed and yelled at when you can just wait a few more days and get great deals without even leaving your house?
 
Photo by linder6580 via Free Images.