In response to controversial new policies under President Donald Trump, a nationwide movement is promising an economic blackout on Friday, Feb. 28.
A call to action around the protest has been circulating on social media ahead of the planned blackout, urging consumers to avoid making purchases from major retailers on that day.
Businesses that may be affected by the boycott include Amazon and Target, which recently disbanded DEI initiatives. Supporters of the protest are, however, encouraged to continue shopping and dining at local businesses.
Here’s what else we know about the blackout.
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What is an economic blackout?
The Friday, Feb. 28, boycott originated from grassroots organization the People’s Union USA, according to reports from Forbes.
“We are not a political party. We are not a protest,” the People’s Union USA website states. “We are a movement of people, unionizing to take back control of our economy, government and future of our country.”
Originally, the movement urged consumers to avoid spending at major retailers and fast-food chains for 24 hours, particularly those that have modified or removed DEI policies in response to Trump’s executive orders targeting such initiatives.
However, the protest is not limited to these businesses, and has since expanded to target all corporations, including those that continue to support DEI efforts.
“For our entire lives, they have told us we have no choice … that we have to accept these insane prices, the corporate greed, the billionaire tax breaks, all while we struggle to just to get by,” the organization’s founder John Schwarz said in a video posted to his Instagram account. “Feb. 28, the 24-hour economic blackout: no Amazon, no Walmart, no fast food, no gas, not a single unnecessary dollar spent … for one day, we are going to finally turn the tables.”
Diana Russell of Bethesda, Md. rallies with other protesters near the U.S. Capitol during a President’s Day protest in Washington on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025.
When is the economic blackout?
The upcoming all-consumer blackout is planned for Friday, Feb. 28. A second consumer blackout is planned for Friday, April 18.
In addition to these two blackouts, several additional boycotts are planned over the next several months, including:
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General Mills: April 21-28
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Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Economic blackout: Friday boycott targets US companies, Trump policies
