Economic Blackout 2025: US Consumers Unite to Protest Corporate Influence

Image credits: AP Photo/John Locher

A grassroots organization is asking people not to spend any money on Friday, February 28, as an act of “economic resistance” to protest what some see as the influence of billionaires, big corporations, and both major political parties on the lives of working Americans. The People’s Union USA, which initiated the no-spend day, is a movement advocating for “economic resistance, government accountability, and corporate reform.” The group identifies as a nonpartisan entity and a “movement for all.” The planned blackout is scheduled to run from 12 a.m. EST through 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, and participants are advised to abstain from making any purchases, whether in store or online, but particularly not from big retailers or chains.

The organization’s founder, John Schwarz, a meditation teacher who lives near the Chicago area, according to his social media accounts, said that the economic blackout is a symbolic start to economic resistance, a day where people show corporations and politicians that they control the economy. The initiative arrives as consumers are growing weary of rising prices on goods and services, with the price of food shooting up by nearly 10% year-over-year in 2022, faster than any year since 1979, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). While inflation has since slowed, families are still being affected by supply chain issues, other inflationary pressures, and even the looming threat of tariffs against countries such as China, Mexico, and Canada—which could raise prices for consumers.

Other activists, faith-based leaders, and consumers are already organizing boycotts to protest companies that have scaled back their diversity, equity, and inclusion 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 that begin on Wednesday. The People’s Union USA plans another broad-based economic blackout on March 28, but it’s also organizing boycotts targeting specific retailers — Walmart and Amazon — as well as global food giants Nestle and General Mills. For the boycott against Amazon, the organization is encouraging people to refrain from buying anything from Whole Foods, which the e-commerce company owns.

Some retailers may feel a slight pinch from Friday’s 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. However, some experts think the overall impact may be limited, with any meaningful sales declines more likely to surface in liberal-leaning coastal regions and big cities. 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. Other boycotts have produced different results, with some companies seeing a drop in sales and others experiencing a temporary revenue bump.

The economic blackout has sparked a national conversation about the power of consumer spending and the importance of supporting small businesses. Afya Evans, a political and image consultant in Atlanta, said she would make a point of shopping on Friday but will focus on small businesses and Black-owned brands. Evans is aware of other boycotts but she said she liked this one because she believes it could have some effect on sales. As the movement gains momentum, it remains to be seen whether the economic blackout will have a lasting impact on consumer behavior and corporate policies. However, one thing is clear: the economic blackout has given consumers a platform to voice their concerns and demand change, and it will be interesting to see how companies respond to this growing movement.