A nationwide boycott of large corporations, dubbed an “economic blackout,” hit Charlotte on Friday, targeting retailers like Target and Walmart. The boycott was organized by The People’s Union USA, a grassroots movement aiming to disrupt the economy and send a message to corporations and banks that only care about profits.
The event coincided with Black Food Truck Fridays, a initiative by entrepreneur Cathay Dawkins, CEO of Black Business Owners of Charlotte, which aimed to empower Black entrepreneurs through events like food truck festivals. Dawkins, who also serves as chairman of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Black Chamber of Commerce, believes that boycotting big businesses can help them understand the impact of their actions.
The boycott saw consumers avoiding purchases with debit or credit cards at major retailers, fast-food restaurants, and gas stations until midnight, opting instead for small, local businesses. Beatties Ford Road Hardware in west Charlotte reported a surge in business, while larger corporations like Walmart and Lowe’s had relatively normal customer traffic on Friday afternoon.
John Schwarz, founder of The People’s Union USA, called the boycott “momentum” that will lead to future actions, including one in April. He argued that people have been told they have no choice but to accept high prices and corporate greed, and it’s time for them to take action themselves.
The boycott comes as a majority of Americans struggle with economic insecurity, according to a CBS survey. It also follows similar calls for boycotts against Target and other retailers since President Donald Trump targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the federal government and private sectors.
Dawkins hopes that the boycott will make big companies reconsider their approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, which they had rolled back following protests over George Floyd’s killing. He believes that this will have a positive impact on marketing and branding, as well as community engagement.
As part of the “No Buy 2025” trend, some consumers encouraged people to avoid purchasing luxury items and stick to essentials, further highlighting the economic blackout’s focus on disrupting consumer behavior.
Source: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article301169959.html