We don’t put much faith in online petitions as agents of change, but they can empower people who have no other way to speak out. That’s the case for a worker at the Menlo Park Mall in Edison, N.J. who is wholeheartedly against his the mall’s plan to open during the evening of Thanksgiving Day.

As of right now, the petition on Change.org has 450 signatures. Sure, the signatures are important, but the worker’s introduction is especially damning.

The few holidays that grant Mall employees the ability to enjoy a day away from work should not be jeopardized or completely relinquished by corporate greed, because quite frankly while the corporate employee is relaxing with their family, we will be suffering from a slap in the face.

The petition’s humble proposal? For the mall to open at 2 A.M. on Friday, or at least to stay closed until the end of Thanksgiving Day.

Will the petition change decision-makers’ minds? No, not at this point. Neither will our posts on the subject, but maybe if enough members of the public find the idea repugnant, shoppers will stay home and the bosses will realize that most people are opposed to the idea. A blog can dream.

Update: Here’s an older, more popular petition, also from someone who works at at a Simon-owned mall and wants to speak out. This petitioner’s argument is similar:

Shouldn’t malls, which are family friendly establishments, have good morals and standards that fully support the American family and their values? This is a time for families to come together and enjoy a meal. To catch up. To have fun. Why are mall employees any different?

My store has a staff of 6. So basically you’re asking all of us to therefore put in a 12+ hour day… Absolutely ridiculous.

Simon Malls-Menlo Park Mall : Remain Closed on Thanksgiving Day or Open at 2AM on Black Friday, Not Open Both Days! [Change.org]

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