Growing numbers of Americans disillusioned with the corporate shopping options are seeking alternative avenues to spending their hard earned dollars. Locally owned shops competed with corporate retailers and earned $5.5 billion in an effort called Small Business Saturday. Some are rejecting even that model of consumption, opting instead for local artists’ fare, recycled one-of-a-kind crafts, and certified fair-trade products from around the world.

On Friday November 30th, Uprising host Sonali Kolhatkar spoke with Cathy Deppe, California lead organizer of 9to5 National Association of Working Women, and Laura Palomares is the lead producer and co-founder of El Puente, about alternative holiday bazaars they were organizing.

Watch a video of the interview here:

7th Annual Fair Trade and Conscious Gifts Holiday Bazaar takes place on Saturday December 1st from 10 am to 3 pm at the Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 3300 Wilshire Blvd LA, CA. Visit www.9to5california.org.

The 11th Annual Antimall takes place on Sunday December 16th from 11 am to 5 pm at the Vex Arts and Cultural Center, 5240 Alhambra Avenue, Los Angeles CA. Visit www.theantimall.weebly.com.

This video was recorded by Bipasha Shom.