Leaders in the Black faith community are planning peaceful protests outside Target stores on May 25 to pressure the company to re-establish its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The protests come after a year since George Floyd’s murder and Target’s initial pledge to boost efforts in inclusion.
Pastor Jamal-Harrison Bryant, senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia, will lead the protests along with 67 churches across the country. The group is seeking to continue pressuring Target to meet its demands, including:
* Reinstating a $2 billion pledge to invest in Black-owned brands and businesses
* Depositing $250 million into 23 Black-owned banks to strengthen Black financial institutions
* Establishing community retail centers at 10 historically Black colleges and universities
* Fully restoring and recommitting to DEI efforts across the company
The protests are also a response to Target’s retreat from these initiatives. The boycott, which began in February, aims to force the company to make changes.
While some data shows online activity at Target has decreased since the boycott began, others have reported no significant impact on sales. Conservative activists have successfully used boycotts to force companies to rein in their DEI efforts, but now the tables are turned as groups from both sides stage protests.
The May 25 protests will see churches walk out for 9 minutes and 40 seconds, symbolizing the time Derek Chauvin’s knee was on Floyd’s neck. Bryant has taken precautions to ensure protesters’ safety, pairing pastors with members of the National Bar Association.
As Target faces pressure from both sides, it remains unclear if the company will meet its demands.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/05/18/target-boycott-protests-george-floyd-dei/83671255007