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This year in Honolulu there was a new twist to Black Friday.

Walmart shoppers encountered Occupy Honolulu protesters who encouraged people not to spend their money at the store.

While hundreds of shoppers were waiting in line to get the best Black Friday deals at the Walmart on Keeaumoku Street, about 20 Occupy Honolulu protesters gathered on the sidewalk around midnight.

Using their so-called “human mic,” protesters shouted “ … 90 percent of Walmart products are made in China in sweatshops, exploiting children, stop buying at Walmart, use local products, think about the future of your keikis…”

They held signs saying, “Walmart supports child labor,” “Give love not stuff,” “Think before you buy,” and other messages targeted toward the shoppers.

About eight police officers arrived and watched the protesters for about an hour. Police told the protesters to remain on the sidewalk and left without any citations or arrests.

Some shoppers looked uncomfortable and turned their head away from the protesters while others appeared to support them. Some drivers honked as they passed by.

One Occupy Honolulu protester, Alala Zusman, 49, said Black Friday is a “catch 22,” used by corporations to encourage people to spend more. He said it’s a good time for people to learn how Walmart hurts local businesses and the employees.

“Walmart is the No. 1 player in the world who does not allow unions,” Zusman said. “They do not pay living wages to the workers.”

Protesters claimed that the CEO of Walmart makes about $9,000 an hour while the average wage of regular employees is about $8 an hour.

Protesters said their goal was not to make people turn away from shopping, but to raise awareness about where and how products are made.

“It’s crazy and chaotic,” said Lauren Sister, a Walmart shopper who had just bought a 42-inch flat-screen TV. Sister said she understands the protesters’ message about buying local products and not supporting big corporations, but in her case it was not feasible.

Another shopper, Spencer Lemer, is a missionary with . Lemer said “there’s a deeper issue than just not shopping at the Walmart.” Spencer said all the problems will be solved by “loving God with the heart, mind and strength and by loving others as themselves.”

After chanting slogans for about two hours, Occupy protesters walked to Ala Moana Center.

The protesters chanted on the second level above the stage area, but were quickly dispersed by the mall police.

After splitting into small groups and stopping at the Macy’s, Old Navy and Sears, they returned to Walmart, where they remained until 3 a.m.

A manager at the Walmart store, Debbie Shima, declined to comment about the protest.