Consumer Boycotts target DEI retreats—are they working? What we know.
Consumer boycotts are targeting companies like Amazon and Target, who’ve rolled back DEI initiatives, but are they working? Here’s what we know.
A second boycott against Walmart and its affiliated stores is underway as some shoppers protest what they call corporate greed, companies that have rolled back their diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and President Donald Trump‘s efforts to eliminate federal DEI programs since taking office.
The boycott of Walmart, which runs from May 20 to May 26, is organized by The People’s Union, the same grass-roots group that coordinated the one-day economic consumer blackout on Feb. 28. The boycott includes Walmart retail and online stores, Sam’s Club and other affiliated Walmart-branded companies and private label brands such as Great Value and Equate. The People’s Union has had weekly boycotts since Feb. 28, including ones aimed at Amazon and Nestle.
Boycott plans continue for the group through July 4, when it says it will ramp up its efforts with longer actions.
These boycotts are in addition to separate actions by other organizations protesting Target and other retailers, similarly for their retreat from DEI initiatives.
Why is there a Walmart boycott?
John Schwarz started The People’s Union, which has been coordinating many of the boycotts. Schwarz has previously told USA TODAY that he did not know that his first video suggesting a national one-day consumer blackout on Feb. 28, would gain so much traction.
Since then, Schwarz who is active on Instagram using the handle @theonecalledJai has outlined several other boycotts.
In a post on May 20, Schwarz encouraged people to boycott Walmart, “because after all the record profits, all the tax loopholes, all the corporate greed, Walmart now once again wants to raise prices. But this time, because of the tariffs, as if they’re not already raking in billions, as if they can’t absorb the cost. As if you and I should carry this burden.”
When asked for comment, a Walmart spokesperson referred USA TODAY to a previous statement given in response to the first one-week boycott in April.
“As one of the largest corporate taxpayers in the country, not only do we pay our fair share, we are an economic force multiplier strengthening communities nationwide through job creation, supplier growth, and over $1.7 billion in cash and in-kind donations last year,” it read. “ We remain dedicated to earning the business of all Americans and giving our time and resources to causes that uplift and unite communities who rely on us every day.”
What other boycotts are planned?
Future boycotts from The People’s Union include:
- June 3-9: Target
- June 24-30: McDonald’s
- July 4: Independence Day Blackout
Full information about the planned boycotts by The People’s Union can be found on the website, https://thepeoplesunionusa.com or videos posted by Schwarz on Instagram and TikTok. The group’s website includes a section called “Consumer Awareness,” which lists and ranks companies based on criteria such as unethical practices, and also notes businesses it deems to be “doing it better.”
Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at blinfisher@USATODAY.com or follow her on X, Facebook or Instagram @blinfisher and @blinfisher.bsky.social on Bluesky. Sign up for our free The Daily Money newsletter, which will include consumer news on Fridays, here.
