This is going to fail just like every other attack on Trump.
A new movement has emerged in response to the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the federal government and major corporations, as a group plans a nationwide economic blackout on February 28. This bold action comes after President Trump’s return to office and his executive order to eliminate DEI programs within the federal government. He instructed that federal funds be withheld from any company that refuses to comply with these new standards. Additionally, he banned the promotion of inclusion-based messaging.
The effects of the rollback are already being felt. PBS has shut down its DEI office, and several major corporations, including Amazon, Target, and Google, are making moves to dismantle their DEI departments. As a response, the People’s Union, a grassroots organization driven by ordinary Americans concerned with corporate overreach, is organizing a one-day economic shutdown. This economic protest is set to begin at midnight on February 28 and will last for 24 hours. During this time, participants will pledge to refrain from making any purchases, either online or in physical stores. The movement has singled out major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy but encourages supporters to avoid spending money at fast food chains and gas stations as well. Instead, participants are urged to support local small businesses.
The goal of the People’s Union is clear: to send a loud and powerful message by demonstrating the financial power of American consumers. “If we disrupt the economy for just one day, it sends a powerful message,” the group wrote on its website.
Experts like Kevin Thompson, CEO of 9i Capital Group, see this protest as a way to show that consumer restraint, even for a single day, can have an impact on corporate finances, thus influencing business decisions. While there may be skepticism regarding the immediate financial effects of a one-day boycott, the long-term implications could be far-reaching, particularly if this movement grows.
Thompson points to the success of past economic protests like the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott, which led to significant systemic changes. While a single day might not disrupt the financial standing of large corporations like Amazon or Walmart, it could spark a broader movement that forces companies to reevaluate their stance on DEI programs. If this boycott leads to larger-scale efforts, it could shift the way corporations weigh social responsibility against profit.
Although this protest may not create immediate financial changes, its true strength lies in its potential to rally people for future actions that might force companies to rethink their commitment to DEI programs. As Ryan, another financial expert, noted, investors are closely watching the movement, and its evolution could lead to a larger shift in how businesses handle social issues versus profitability. In a nation where economic power has long been a tool for change, this protest could mark the beginning of a more powerful consumer-led movement.