Today (August 21) marks the first day of the Global Strike for Gaza. Since October 7, Israel has killed more than 62,000 Palestinians. The population continues to endure relentless bombardment, starvation and the daily killing of people searching for food for their families. As we continue to protest and challenge the UK government for its complicity in Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people, the Humanti Project – a grassroots collective advocating for collective liberation – is calling on the public to join a weekly global economic strike every Thursday. The aim is to create visible, measurable disruption by collectively withdrawing our spending power, hitting the only thing capitalist states and corporations truly value: their economies. Here is a brief explainer on how to participate in the global strike today, and every Thursday afterwards: 

DO NOT BUY ANYTHING 

Starting from today (and every Thursday afterwards), make no purchases of any kind on Thursday. Check that no subscriptions or automatic payments are scheduled to leave your account on Thursday. Do not go shopping for food, clothes or anything else. This boycott covers all businesses (even independent ones). It’s important to plan ahead and stock up on food and essentials before the strike, and if possible, support independent businesses on the days before and after the strike. 

LIMIT OR AVOID PUBLIC TRANSPORT

If you must travel to work, consider walking, cycling, or carpooling. If your workplace allows remote working, exercise that option on Thursdays. If you must use public transport, buy your tickets in advance, not on the day of the strike.

THIS STRIKE DOES NOT INCLUDE WORK 

Many people live paycheck to paycheck, so this strike is not asking you not to work on Thursday, but to reduce your economic spending and output. Where possible, consider using holiday days or personal leave to reduce production on Thursdays. Even if you can not stay at home on Thursdays, your participation in the spending strike is still a massive and important contribution.