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By Suzanne Blake
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Some Americans are planning a 24-hour spending blackout for Friday, February 28.
The boycott is being organized by the People's Union USA and targets major retailers Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy.
Why It Matters
The People's Union USA is a grassroots organization targeting corporate and government accountability.
Read More on U.S.
After President Donald Trump ended several DEI initiatives in the federal government, he also issued an executive order that funds could be frozen for companies that do not comply.
In response, PBS closed its DEI office and Amazon, Target and Google are among the companies criticized for changing their DEI policies.
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What To Know
All participants in the nationwide economic blackout will stop making nearly all purchases, especially from Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy.
People will also minimize fast-food and gas spending and are asked to prioritize small businesses if they need to make a purchase on February 28.
What Is Nationwide Economic Blackout?
A national economic blackout occurs when consumers across the country boycott by refusing to make purchases.
While the People's Union USA has fixated on refraining from spending at major retailers like Walmart, all purchasing activity could be stalled for the day of February 28, sending a clear message to retailers that do not prioritize DEI.
"If we disrupt the economy for just ONE day, it sends a powerful message," the group wrote on its website. "The People's Union is not just about resisting corruption, it is about exposing it. For decades, corporations, politicians, and industries have worked together to rig the system against the American people."
What Stores Are Being Targeted?
While all spending activity could be affected during the blackout, Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart have been targeted as retailers that participants should especially avoid purchasing from during the 24 hours.
That includes in-person and online sales for non-essential spending. If you have to make a purchase for food, medicine or emergencies, the blackout recommends supporting small, local businesses.
Who Is Organizing Nationwide Economic Blackout?
The People's Union USA describes itself as a "movement uniting citizens to reclaim power from corrupt politicians and corporations."
The group was founded by John Schwarz, a father who grew up in Queens, New York City.
The group's Facebook page was created on February 11 and has more than 2,000 members.
What People Are Saying
John Schwarz, founder of The People's Union, previously told Newsweek: "The People's Union USA is not just about one day, it's about creating a long-term strategic action. February 28th is the start, but we are building a sustained movement that continues to grow with each video posted.
"This isn't a one-time protest. It really is the beginning of a shift in how the people can demonstrate their power intelligently to the corporations and government."
Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of MichaelRyanMoney.com, told Newsweek: "One day of not shopping probably won't dent these mega-corporations financially. People will likely just shift their shopping to before or after. But the awareness it's creating? That might be the real win here."
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "The concept is to boycott major nationwide retailers on that day for recent actions like proposed tax breaks for wealthy individuals in leadership roles with these employers and the dropping of DEI initiatives. Boycotts have a very spotty record of actually working. We have seen in recent years that some companies and their products caught in the middle of a social or political debate do see sales and stock drops."
What Happens Next
If the February 28 economic blackout gains popularity, there could be widespread consumer shifts. But it's unlikely the retailers would face substantial revenue losses from one day of no spending, experts said.
"Most previous attempts to avoid one retailer on a mass level fall on deaf ears, and even when one-day events come to fruition, there has to be a sustained level of avoidance past that on a grand scale to see a significant financial impact on that company," Beene said.
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