Activist groups are ramping up efforts to challenge what they see as corporate greed by calling for economic blackouts during the busy holiday shopping season. Participants are being urged to refrain from spending at major retailers, instead directing their purchases toward small, local businesses.
The initiative, prominently led by The People’s Union USA, comes during a time when major shopping days such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday see a surge in consumer spending. The organization encourages participants to abstain from shopping activities from November 28 to December 5, 2025, while a related movement known as Blackout the System is organizing a blackout from November 25 to December 2, 2025.
Both movements seek to highlight dissatisfaction with large corporations like Walmart, Amazon, and Target, which have faced scrutiny throughout the year due to boycotts. The People’s Union USA has positioned this blackout as a critical opportunity for a collective economic protest, with founder John Schwarz expressing on social media, “This is one of the biggest opportunities we have to show our strength, to remind them that we are the economy, and to shut down their greed-driven system.”
Critics of corporate practices have identified specific grievances, including the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at major retailers. These boycotts have previously hit companies hard; for instance, Target experienced diminished sales and saw significant corporate layoffs amid backlash from its practices.
In defense of their business practices, major retailers have responded to past boycotts by emphasizing their commitment to community support and job creation. Walmart reiterated its role in strengthening communities through charitable contributions and resources, while McDonald’s highlighted its ongoing commitment to inclusion and community service.
As consumers gear up for Black Friday on November 28 and Cyber Monday on December 1 in 2025, the call for economic blackouts sheds light on growing tensions between activists and corporations in the retail sector. The outcome of these boycotts may reshape how individuals shop and support small businesses during one of the most lucrative times of the year.