It was widespread across social media that there was to be a strike of some sort targeting major retailers including Target, Walmart, and Amazon on February 28th. The economic blackout was mainly pushed by social media influencers, primarily on TikTok, due to President Trump’s efforts to take down all of the DEI (Department of Equity and Inclusion) federal policies and programs.

Target, Walmart, and Amazon were three companies that were deciding to eliminate their DEI policies because of this, much to the outrage of not only social media influencers, but also many faith leaders. This led them to organize boycotts in order to protest all companies backing down on diversity and to support small businesses instead.

Several faith leaders went as far as to suggest that their congregations stop shopping at these stores during the upcoming 40 days of Lent as one of their Lenten sacrifices. Officially, however, People’s Union USA, led by meditation leader John Schwarz, is the one that initially organized the blackouts.

Even though the boycotts are aimed at stores ending DEI policies, most of the efforts have been aimed at Target. More specifically, because of Target’s past deep involvement in uplifting Black and LGBTQIA+ as a retailer alongside the sudden shift in policy.

Another boycott was planned for March 5 until the end of Lent (Easter) planned by Rev. Jamal Bryant, a pastor in Atlanta, and supported by other faith leaders.

The boycotts aren’t stopping there – the Rev. Al Sharpton, president and founder of National Action Network, stated in late January that it was to identify two companies within 90 days to use as a target in their boycotts as they abandoned diversity policies.

PBS news states that these boycotts will have their effects be seen, just as previous events like “Renewed inflation worries and Trump’s threat of tariffs on imported goods already have had an effect on consumer sentiment.”

Time will only tell what happens next and if the boycotts have any impact on company policies.

Photo credits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ4xxhGP8C8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rQcozbaWsg
Works cited: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-to-know-about-the-feb-28-economic-boycott