A small group of US residents participated in an economic blackout on Friday as part of a protest against the influence of billionaires and corporations on working Americans. The one-day boycott, called by activist group The People’s Union USA, aimed to raise awareness about diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
The event started at midnight EST and was marked by few visible effects from consumers not spending money. Retail experts say it’s unlikely that a significant dent will be made in daily retail sales. However, some individual participants reported making changes to their daily habits, such as brewing coffee at home or packing lunches.
Despite criticism online, small businesses may have benefited from shoppers visiting independent shops during the blackout. The People’s Union USA plans another broad-based economic blackout on March 28 and weeklong boycotts of specific retailers, including Walmart and Amazon.
Industry experts say that while individual events like this can raise awareness, sustained long-term impact is unlikely without broader cultural shift.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/feb-28-economic-blackout-2025-d6b0bf2d1c989ee3071016e36598d76c