Economic ‘Mass Blackout’ planned to protest Trump administration
An economic “Mass Blackout” is planned on Black Friday and Cyber Monday to protest the Trump administration.
Several national groups are calling for economic blackouts beginning Black Friday, urging Americans to withhold spending as a form of protest against anti-DEI moves and other issues.
The People’s Union USA, Blackout the System and We Ain’t Buying It are asking Americans to avoid major brands and retailers from Nov. 28 to Dec. 5, while supporting Small Business Saturday on Nov. 29.
Other groups taking aim at retailers include The People’s Sick Day, American Opposition, the Money Out of Politics Movement, and The Progressive Network.
The campaigns come at a time when many shoppers are feeling squeezed by higher prices, shrinking wages and controversial moves by major companies to roll back diversity and inclusion initiatives.
The coalition of advocacy groups is launching a boycott called “We Ain’t Buying It” on Thanksgiving and through the weekend. The coalition seeks to put economic pressure on several corporations they say funded President Donald Trump’s administration or went along with what they call “harmful” policies including rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, mass firing of federal workers, immigration raids and more.
“This Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday — let’s make our dollars count. We’re asking Americans to hit pause on shopping from major corporations,” the We Ain’t Buying It website says.
Advocates say withholding consumer dollars during the busiest shopping weekend of the year is an effective way to get companies’ attention.
During this critical shopping holiday, organizers are asking people to support small businesses and Black, Immigrant and “POC”-owned businesses, over the weekend instead of big retailers.
Here’s what to know about who is being boycotted and the organizations leading them.
Why are groups encouraging economic blackouts?
Organizations say the economic blackouts are a way to protest corporate power, inequality and actions that seem harmful to communities.
- The “We Ain’t Buying it” campaign is challenging companies that support government policies against DEI or immigrant rights.
- Blackout the System frames its action as a critique of a system “working exactly as designed — for the wealthy.”
- At the same time, the People’s Union USA focuses on supporting local economies and pushing back against big corporations.
- American Opposition said “We joined forces with Black Out The System, Money Out Politics, People’s Sick Day and helped lead a coalition-building effort that united 51 organizations in calling for a Total Economic Blackout from November 25, 2025 to December 2, 2025 in just 72 hours.”
- Money Out of Politics Movement said “America’s democracy is not for sale, and neither are we. We’re joining forces with our partners and calling for a total economic blackout from November 25 – December 2. Join us in taking a united stand against corruption, corporate greed, and authoritarian control.”
Grassroots organizations, including Black Voters Matter, Indivisible, and Until Freedom, are asking shoppers to boycott major retailers, including Amazon, Target, and Home Depot, that they say caved to President Donald Trump and reneged on pledges to support diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Which companies are being targeted for boycotts?
The boycotts target specific corporations and broader systems:
- We Ain’t Buying It: Target (for cutting DEI programs), Home Depot (for colluding with ICE) and Amazon (for corporate tax deals).
- People’s Union USA: Big-box stores and online retailers, including Kellanova, Amazon, Home Depot and Target, encouraging spending only at small businesses.
- Blackout the System: All large corporate systems, with participants asked to avoid shopping and work and to cancel streaming services, except for small businesses.
When are the economic blackouts taking place?
The economic blackouts are taking place across different dates, but all start on Friday, Nov. 28.
We Ain’t Buying It is running its campaign until Monday, Dec. 1; the People’s Union USA is calling for a boycott until Dec. 5; and Blackout the System is running its campaign until Dec. 2.
What are the organizations running the mass blackouts?
Several activist groups are organizing Black Friday economic blackouts, each with its own focus and strategy.
We Ain’t Buying It says it is an economic action and solidarity campaign designed to defend democracy and reclaim community power.
The People’s Union USA, founded by John Schwarz, emphasizes the power of consumers to support small businesses and push back against corporate influence.
Blackout the System a national non-partisan, grassroots movement born from frustration, injustice, and the undeniable truth that the people hold the power, the group says, not corrupt governments, not billionaires, and not broken systems. The movement that aims to bring about significant and strategic change by uniting individuals to peacefully disrupt the current systems and build new ones.
The People’s Sick Day is group is “for workers, the overworked, underpaid, fed-up, & unbothered. If you’re tired of fighting to survive while corporations get richer and politicians spit in our face, this is where you belong,” the group says.
Carlos Álvarez-Aranyos, founder of American Opposition, told USA TODAY the coalition is “developing the American muscle for boycotts and blackouts as a way to leverage economic power” with the ultimate goal of leading a general strike.
Earlier this year, some Michiganders took part in a nationwide boycott in response to major retailers rolling back their commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion.
