The People’s Union USA, steered by John Schwarz, is initiating a boycott against McDonald’s from June 24-30, motivated by claims that the corporation engages in performative diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, prioritizes profit over community welfare, and exploits tax loopholes.
This boycott follows a trend observed since late February, when The People’s Union began targeting various corporations. While these boycotts echo the criticism of firms that have rolled back DEI initiatives post the Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action, Schwarz has clarified that their protests are primarily driven by the desire to hold companies accountable for their practices. “The mission of The People’s Union USA is to hold corporations and corrupt systems accountable, not with violence or empty promises, but with the one thing that actually affects them, the money we spend,” he stated.
Schwarz shared a post on June 19 detailing the reasons for the boycott against McDonald’s, which he accused of practicing superficial DEI measures with no real change and of prioritizing profits at the expense of people and communities. Notably, McDonald’s has been among over 30 companies that have reduced their DEI policies following critical legal rulings, including eliminating certain representation goals and changing the structure of their diversity team.
In addition to the McDonald’s boycott, The People’s Union has announced further economic blackouts targeting companies such as Starbucks, Amazon, and Walmart throughout July and August.
These movements reflect a growing trend of consumer activism, seeking accountability from major corporations and highlighting the importance of ethical business practices. The upcoming boycotts serve as a reminder that collective consumer action can drive significant change in corporate behavior.