Economic Blackout 2025: Grassroots Movement Protests Corporate Influence

Image credits: AP Photo/John Locher

A grassroots organization, the People's Union USA, is encouraging U.S. residents not to spend any money on a specific day as an act of “economic resistance” to protest what the group’s founder sees as the malign influence of billionaires, big corporations and both major political parties on the lives of working Americans. The organization calls the 24 hours of spending abstinence an “economic blackout,” a term that has been shared and debated on social media. The activist movement said it also plans to promote weeklong consumer boycotts of particular companies, including Walmart and Amazon, due to their diversity and inclusion initiatives.

The People’s Union USA, which takes credit for initiating the no-spend day, was founded by John Schwarz, a meditation teacher who lives near the Chicago area. The organization’s website said it’s not tied to a political party but stands for all people. Requests for comment sent to the group’s email address did not receive a reply. The planned blackout is scheduled to run from 12 a.m. EST through 11:59 p.m. EST on a specific day, with the activist group advising customers to abstain from making any purchases, whether in store or online, but particularly not from big retailers or chains. It wants participants to avoid fast food and filling their car gas tanks, and says shoppers with emergencies or in need of essentials should support a local small business and try not to use a credit or debit card.

Other activists, faith-based leaders, and consumers are already organizing boycotts to protest companies that have scaled back their equity initiatives, and to oppose President Donald Trump’s moves to abolish all federal DEI programs and policies. Some faith leaders are encouraging their congregations to refrain from shopping at Target, one of the companies backing off DEI efforts, during the 40 days of Lent. The Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and president of the National Action Network, a civil rights organization, announced that it would identify two companies in the next 90 days that will be boycotted for abandoning their diversity, equity, and inclusion pledges.

Some retailers may feel a slight pinch from the broad “blackout,” which is taking place in a tough economic environment, experts said. Renewed inflation worries and Trump’s threat of tariffs on imported goods already have had an effect on consumer sentiment. Marshal Cohen, chief retail advisor at market research firm Circana, said, “The (market share) pie is just so big. You can’t afford to have your slices get smaller. Consumers are spending more money on food. And that means there’s more pressure on general merchandise or discretionary products.” Anna Tuchman, a marketing professor at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, said she thinks the economic blackout will likely make a dent in daily retail sales but won’t be sustainable.

Here are some key points about the economic blackout and its potential impact: * The economic blackout is scheduled to take place on a specific day, with participants encouraged to abstain from making any purchases. * The activist group is promoting weeklong consumer boycotts of particular companies, including Walmart and Amazon. * Other activists, faith-based leaders, and consumers are organizing boycotts to protest companies that have scaled back their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. * Some retailers may feel a slight pinch from the broad “blackout,” which is taking place in a tough economic environment. * Experts say the economic blackout will likely make a dent in daily retail sales but won’t be sustainable. * The movement is part of a larger trend of consumers using their spending power to influence corporate policies and promote social change.