Shoppers who used to frequent the Staten Island Mall located in the New York City borough are threatening to stop patronising the mall after it moved its annual Christmas tree display to an outside location.
To express their anger, they started the "Boycott Staten Island Mall this Christmas Season" Facebook page, which has already garnered over 22,000 supporters, according to WND.
"I started this group two days ago when I read on NY1 that the annual Christmas tree lighting and Santa parade (were) cancelled. I started this boycott page to unite the voices of the majority of people who don't like our Christmas traditions taken away from us piece by piece at the Staten Island Mall," explained site creator Joe DeMarco.
He added that just a few years ago, mall authorities have already started eliminating Christmas traditions by moving the Santa from the main court area to a different wing.
"People were upset (then), but it remained business as usual at the mall," DeMarco shared. "Then they took away the Christmas train ride the children loved. When this happened, people were upset but business went on as usual at the mall."
However, mall authorities have finally pushed too far this year. "So then last year, they moved the Christmas tree out of the centre court and outside the mall," he continued. "People were upset, but again business went on as usual. Now this year they cancelled the annual tree lighting ceremony and the Santa parade, which was also a tradition that our children loved."
When the Staten Island Mall did that, it became obvious to the shoppers and that management was "systematically removing anything 'Christmas' from the mall" but still wanted those who celebrate the holiday to go to the mall and shop there for Christmas gifts.
"This was hypocritical, at the least, and contemptible at the most," said DeMarco. He urged other locals to boycott the mall until they bring back well-loved Christmas traditions.
"Be proud of your beliefs, and (of) your holidays, as I am of Christmas. Peace on Earth and goodwill to fellow man," he said.
