John Schwarz, 57, was previously registered as a sex offender after pleading guilty to disseminating voyeuristic material. He led a grassroots movement called the People’s Union USA that organized a viral shopping boycott on Friday, urging Americans to avoid spending money at big-box stores and instead support small businesses or not spend any money at all. However, Schwarz’s past conviction complicates his role in the group, which has spread widely with endorsements from celebrities, despite many participants seeming unaware of his organization.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/28/style/john-schwarz-peoples-union-economic-blackout.html