52°
The group called The People's Union USA organized the "24-Hour Economic Blackout" on Friday, Feb. 28. Supporters were asked to avoid all non-essential spending, including purchases from major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target, as well as gas and fast food.
Supporters of the blackout were asked to only buy "absolutely necessary" items like food, medicine, and emergency supplies, along with only supporting small, local businesses for essentials. The movement also told people not to use credit or debit cards.
New York City native John Schwarz is the movement's founder and says he started it to call attention to an economic system he believes exploits the working class.
"For generations, our families worked, sacrificed, and fought to build a better future, yet here we stand, still waiting," Schwarz said in an Instagram post on Tuesday, Feb. 25. "We the people will not wait any longer. We stand in solidarity to honor the past and carve a new path for the future.
"This is the moment. This is the movement. This is our history in the making."
The blackout follows a wave of nationwide protests on Presidents Day and is just the beginning, organizers said. Future actions include targeted weeklong boycotts of Amazon, Walmart, and Nestlé, as well as additional full-day spending blackouts on Friday, Mar. 28, and Friday, Apr. 18.
It's unclear how much the blackout will affect retail sales.
"For one day, we show them who really holds the power," the group's website said. "If we disrupt the economy for just ONE day, it sends a powerful message."
Schwarz announced the movement's launch on Tuesday, Feb. 4, linking it to broader dissatisfaction with corporate greed and economic inequality.
"We must begin the right way," he wrote in an Instagram video caption. "We must be organized the right way. And this is exactly how we start."
The movement comes as frustrations mount over President Donald Trump's economic policies. Despite campaign promises to provide immediate relief, inflation has begun climbing again and tariff threats against the nation's neighbors are among the catalysts for rising costs.
Unemployment claims have surged to their highest level since October 2024, jumping by 22,000 to 242,000 for the week ending Saturday, Feb. 22, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Meanwhile, consumer confidence took its steepest monthly dive since August 2021, with The Conference Board saying expectations for job growth are getting worse.
The labor market turbulence comes as Trump announced that 25-percent tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico would take effect on Thursday, Mar. 4. The move has experts concerned about higher costs for raw materials, supply chain disruptions, and potential job losses in industries reliant on cross-border trade.
January home sales dropped as mortgage rates and prices remained high, adding to the unaffordability of housing. Among other increases, egg prices spiked 15 percent in January, while housing costs jumped 4.4 percent since January 2024.
Financial concerns have also extended to the Trump administration's push to gut federal agencies. The effort has been led by billionaire Elon Musk, the Tesla CEO who's also the de facto head of the Department of Government Efficiency.
While many people opposed to Trump and Musk have joined the movement, Schwarz has emphasized that the effort is aimed at the country's economic inequality, not any single leader or party.
"Both political parties, both past and current leaders, and billionaires have manipulated the economy and profited off the working class," the group said on its website's FAQ page. "We will hold them all accountable. Our focus is systemic change, not political drama."
In another Instagram post on the morning of the blackout, Schwarz thanked participants and said the organization was growing.
"This movement is because of you, and right now there are millions of people across the United States and around the world who are standing with us," Schwarz said. "You may not see them. You may feel like you're standing alone but if we were all gathered in one place right now, this would be one of the largest demonstrations in human history."
The People's Union USA also said it's trying to create a formal organizational structure with legal protections and trademarks "to ensure the long-term protection" of its brand and mission.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Willingboro and receive free news updates.
