Economic blackout is today. What to know about new boycott of Walmart, Lowes, McDonald's

Yahoo

5 days ago

A new one-day economic blackout is happening today. Organizers are asking people to stop all spending, call out of work or close their own businesses to lock up the country's finances on Saturday, Aug. 9.
"You might think one day doesn't make a difference. It does. It makes a difference financially when millions stop spending. It makes a difference socially when the nation starts paying attention, and it makes a difference civilly when the people unite and say 'No more,'" John Schwarz, who launched the organization, said in an Aug. 8 social media video.
The People's Union USA is also leading a nationwide consumer boycott of Walmart, Lowes and McDonald's. They're asking people to skip spending money with the major brands all of August. They also plan to boycott Amazon, Uber and Pepsi Co. in September.
Do the boycotts work? It's complicated. Some retail chains, like Target, have seen a spending dip. And social media trends can affect social perception of the brands in ways that aren't easy to measure.
A Lending Tree survey of 2,000 people published earlier this summer showed that of 31% had boycotted a business, and about 23% had supported one because it was being boycotted.
Here's what you need to know about the one-day economic blackout, ongoing August boycotts, and additional protests that are coming up.
Why are people boycotting stores in 2025?
In January, President Donald Trump announced the rollback of federal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. He's said he wants the country's culture as a whole to shift away from "woke" mindsets and his administration, as promised, to cut federal funds from schools and universities that don't also scrap DEI.
Some major brands cut equity and inclusion efforts late last year, and others made the move in 2025.
Several groups have organized different nationwide protests since February. Some focus on larger, longer protests that target a single brand at a time. Many, but not all, of the large-scale boycotts are efforts to pressure companies into bringing back DEI initiatives.
The major boycotts started with a nationwide 24-hour economic blackout of major corporations on Feb. 28. A 40-day spending fast at Target ended April 17. Economic Blackout 2.0 lasted three days in April, and another total freeze was on July Fourth. Smaller spending freezes focusing on Target, Walmart, Nestlé and General Mills are complete.
For example, Jamal-Harrison Bryant, senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia, organized a 40-day Target shopping freeze that mirrored Lent. The goal was to get the brand to reinstate DEI initiative. It's since been extended into a permanent boycott.
Target's foot traffic, tracked by Placer.ai, was down year-over-year for at least 11 consecutive weeks after the company dropped its DEI policies. It also saw a drop in Mississippi for February, March, April, May and June.
The People's Union says ensuring companies serve communities with equal opportunity hiring policies and DEI is a major goal. The group also wants to end national income taxes and for the government to establish a profit cap for corporations.
"We have real demands, and we are not backing down from any of them," Schwarz said in a social media video.
More: Despite Trump backlash, DEI rollbacks are slowing. Here's why.
What to know about the Aug. 9 economic blackout
The People's Union plans a third large-scale economic blackout on Aug. 9 with no spending at big box stores.
Schwarz said people should protest at state capitols and town hall buildings. He encourages people to have a full-day spending freeze in stores and apps. He wants people to protest in mass numbers.
He said the day will make a statement against "genocide in Gaza," "the buried Epstein files," ICE raids "tearing families apart," and other Trump administration policies.
"Let the money stop moving for one single day. Shut your business down. Take the day off. Call in sick. Whatever you've got to do, do it," Schwarz said in a previous Instagram video.
What to know about boycotts happening now, next month
In August, the People's Union is boycotting Walmart, Lowes and McDonald's. In September, the People's Union will boycott Amazon, Uber and Pepsi Co.
In July, he advised people to shop at locally owned stores while avoiding the major chains.
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at [e-mail].
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: US economic blackout is today. What to know about new August boycotts
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