Starting tonight at midnight, Americans are being asked to do something that might feel unnatural in a culture built on convenience and consumption: stop spending. For one day, The People’s Union USA is calling for a nationwide economic blackout—a pause on shopping at major retailers, skipping fast food, and holding off on filling up the tank. The goal? To remind corporations that the economy doesn’t run without the people who fuel it.
No one thinks a single day of economic resistance will bring Amazon to its knees or make Walmart suddenly value its workers. But protests aren’t about instant wins—they’re about visibility, disruption, and building momentum. The blackout is meant to plant the idea that where we spend (or don’t spend) our money matters. And while it targets corporate giants, it’s just as important to redirect spending to small, local businesses—the ones that actually sustain communities.
Economic Protests That Made an Impact
History shows that strategic economic resistance works—when it’s sustained and organized.
- Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956) – Black residents of Montgomery, Alabama, refused to ride segregated buses for over a year, forcing financial distress on the transit system and leading to a Supreme Court ruling that outlawed segregation on public buses.
- Delano Grape Strike (1965-1970) – Filipino and Mexican farmworkers, led by César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, organized a multi-year grape boycott demanding better wages and working conditions—eventually securing union contracts that improved labor rights.
- Anti-Apartheid Divestment (1980s-1990s) – Global economic pressure, including corporate divestments and consumer boycotts, helped weaken South Africa’s apartheid regime, contributing to its collapse.
- Nestlé Boycott (1977-Present) – Activists launched an international boycott against Nestlé over its aggressive baby formula marketing in developing countries, forcing reforms in how formula is promoted and sold.
None of these victories happened overnight. They were part of a long-term push for systemic change.
The 24-Hour Economic Blackout: What You Need to Know
According to The People’s Union USA, this is just the beginning. The February 28 blackout serves as the first action in a series of planned economic protests. The message? If consumers collectively stop spending for even one day, it disrupts business as usual and signals growing frustration with corporate greed and economic inequality.
WHEN:
- Thursday, February 27 at midnight to Friday, February 28 at midnight (a full 24 hours).
WHAT NOT TO DO:
- No purchases—online or in-store.
- No shopping at Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, or other major retailers.
- No spending on fast food, gas, or unnecessary credit/debit card transactions.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- Only buy essentials if absolutely necessary (food, medicine, emergency supplies).
- If you must spend money, support small, local businesses.
WHY THIS MATTERS:
- Corporations and banks only care about their bottom line.
- A one-day economic disruption sends a message—this isn’t just noise.
- If they don’t listen (they won’t), the next blackout gets longer. (It will.)
A Start, Not a Solution
Economic activism isn’t new—boycotts, strikes, and consumer resistance have long been tools of protest. The Montgomery Bus Boycott lasted over a year. The anti-apartheid divestment campaigns took decades. A single day of not buying gas or skipping your morning Starbucks run won’t reverse decades of corporate consolidation, but it can start something.
John Schwarz, founder of The People’s Union USA, understands this. He’s not pretending that skipping Walmart on a Friday is the equivalent of storming the Bastille. Instead, he sees the blackout as an entry point—a way to introduce people to economic resistance in an accessible, low-risk way.
“This is about awareness,” Schwarz says. “It’s about people realizing that when they act together, they do have power.”
Avoiding the Trap of Performative Protest
One-off boycotts can fall into the trap of performative activism—where people participate just enough to feel like they’ve “done something” before going back to business as usual. That’s why this blackout isn’t just a standalone event. Schwarz and his team have already mapped out a full schedule of targeted boycotts against corporations like Amazon, Walmart, General Mills, Nestlé, McDonald’s, and Target—with multi-day actions planned through July 4th.
If people see February 28 not as a one-and-done event but as a spark for deeper engagement, it could have real consequences. If it’s just a hashtag moment? Then it’s a wasted opportunity.
What Comes After the Blackout?
So, should you participate? Absolutely. It’s a small, symbolic act, but it’s about more than just one day.
- Look at where your money goes every other day of the year.
- Support worker-owned businesses.
- Join a labor movement.
- Demand more for your dollars—not just for a day, but every day after.
A single day won’t change the world. But it’s a start.
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