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.
- A coalition of grassroots groups is organizing a nationwide economic blackout during Black Friday week.
- The protest asks Americans to stop spending for seven days to protest income inequality and corporate influence.
- Organizers are also protesting the rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion programs under the Trump administration.
- The spending freeze includes an exemption for Small Business Saturday, encouraging support for local businesses.
Black Friday is here, kicking off one of the busiest shopping weeks of the year. A nationwide economic blackout is already in progress. Organizers want to send a messaged to the Trump administration and protest income inequality.
Blackout the System, The People’s Sick Day, American Opposition, the Money Out of Politics Movement, and The Progressive Network are grassroots groups urging Americans to stop spending for seven days and call out of work.
The “Mass Blackout,” includes Black Friday on Nov. 28 and Cyber Monday on Dec. 1, but there’s an exemption for Small Business Saturday on Nov. 29.
Several large-scale spending freezes or economic blackouts have happened since February. The first had the most popular support nationwide.
Many economic protests in 2025 have been an effort to get companies to bring back diversity, equity and inclusion programs. More events were planned as President Donald Trump rolled back federal DEI and called for a cultural end to “woke” mindsets.
Some boycotts sought general social changes like racial equality or better pay, while others aimed to send a message to the federal government.
Multiple major brands and retailers have been the focus of the spending freezes, which have ranged from seven days to a month or more. Some companies, such as Amazon, Target and Walmart have been the focus of repeated boycotts.
Here’s what we know about the Black Friday economic blackout and the groups involved.
When is the Mass Blackout economic protest?
The economic blackout started Nov. 25 and runs through Dec. 2. People are asked to limit spending.
They’re asking people to stop spending on digital subscriptions, travel and restaurants. “If you must spend: support small, local businesses only. Pay in cash.”
Why are so many groups working on the economic blackout?
The groups in the coalition had all independently called for shopping boycotts but decided to join forces for Mass Blackout.
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.
“We don’t see this fight as left versus right. We see it more as top versus bottom,” Álvarez-Aranyos, who helped organize the “No Kings” protests and the Tesla boycott, said in an interview. “This is about Black Friday because, honestly, what we are seeing across the board is just unsustainable. We are being taken advantage of. Prices are up. Inflation is through the roof.”
Read more: DEI is losing ground as White men make gains in the boardroom
“We are living under a political system captured by special interests, where billionaires and corporations write the rules,” Isaiah Rucker Jr., founder of Blackout the System, said in a statement. “Congress serves donors, not the American people, and democratic norms are being dismantled in front of our eyes, with corporate backing. This campaign is about showing them where the power truly lies, with the people.”
Jessica Guynn is a senior reporter on the USA TODAY money team.
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY Network. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.
