What to know about the Feb. 28 "economic blackout"
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A grassroots movement is calling on Americans to abstain from shopping with major retailers on Feb. 28 as part of an "economic blackout."
Why it matters: The economic protest comes as many everyday Americans struggle to keep up in the current financial landscape, characterized by high housing costs, surging egg prices and stubborn inflation.
Between the lines: This week's economic blackout is the latest, but not the first, grassroots movement against consumerism that has gained steam in the face of high costs of living.
- Earlier this year the "no buy 2025" challenge gained traction on social media for similar reasons.
Who is behind it?
The Feb. 28 economic blackout is an initiative by The People's Union USA, which describes itself as a "grassroots movement dedicated to economic resistance, government accountability, and corporate reform."
- The group says it has no political affiliation but is rather focused on uniting Americans against corporate greed.
- The movement was founded by John Schwarz, who describes his movement as raising awareness about the ways the "system is rigged" against everyday Americans.
What is the economic blackout?
The Feb. 28 economic blackout calls on consumers to avoid all unnecessary purchases, either in-person or online, from midnight Thursday through midnight Friday.
- "No Amazon, No Walmart, No Best Buy," The People's Union USA website reads. "Nowhere!"
- It further urges participants not to spend money on fast food, major retailers or gas, and to avoid using credit or debit cards to make nonessential purchases.
- The blackout makes an exception for buying "essentials of absolutely necessary" — like medicine, food or emergency supplies — but urges consumers to make those purchases at small, local businesses.
Zoom in: The People's Union USA has other targeted economic actions planned for after the blackout.
- These include weeklong blackouts against specific retailers, including Amazon, Nestlé and Walmart.
What is the goal?
The economic blackout is "about solidarity and sending a clear message: we have the power," the group's website states.
- Schwarz echoed the sentiment in an Instagram video posted last week, saying the blackout is meant to push back against the notion that Americans have "no choice" but to accept the economic system.
- "For our entire lives, they have told us we have no choice ... that we have to accept these insane prices, the corporate greed, the billionaire tax breaks, all while we struggle to just to get by," he said.
- "For one day, we are going to finally turn the tables," he added.
Our thought bubble, from Axios' Ben Berkowitz: Boycott threats regularly make headlines, but their impact is usually more optical than financial.
- In fact, decades of research into boycotts suggest they often end up having a counterintuitively positive effect, as a larger, silent majority votes with their dollars by shopping instead of staying home.
- In 2014, the #BoycottBlackFriday movement after the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., did appear to have some short-term impact, as total sales during that key weekend fell versus 2013. But if there was an effect, it didn't last, as overall sales for the year's holiday season rose.
Go deeper: Shoppers are avoiding certain brands over politics: poll
