A nationwide “Economic Blackout” urged consumers to temporarily discontinue all purchases for 24 hours, aiming to protest corporate practices and advocate for economic justice on Feb. 28. This movement, organized by The People’s Union USA, sought to challenge the influence of major corporations and highlight issues such as income inequality and the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Despite the widespread social media attention and participation, early data indicated that the boycott had minimal impact on major retailers. For instance, Amazon reported a slight increase in sales during the boycott period, suggesting that the one-day protest did not significantly affect consumer behavior or sales.
Based on Earnest Analytics, consumer spending showed a noticeable decline on that day, which was linked to the “Economic Blackout” protest. More specifically, debit and credit card spending decreased by 7.4% year over year, with debit card sales decreasing to 10.7 percent and credit card sales decreasing by 6.2%. It should be noted that while many retail businesses saw declines, online e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Temu maintained low growth rates, suggesting that the protest’s impact depended on certain factors within the business.
However, promoters of the movement are debating that the “Economic Blackout” wasn’t about negatively impacting corporations overnight but about raising awareness and creating long-term conversations on economic justice within communities.
“I didn’t buy a single thing that day, not even my usual necessities,” said Shavonne Johnson, an adolescent case manager from Brooklyn. “It wasn’t about the money that day. We all need to send a message. I even spoke to one of my mentees about it, and they were curious to know more.”
Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram were flooded with hashtags such as #EconomicBlackout and #HoldCorporationsAccountable, with the public sharing their reasons for supporting the movement. Some called attention to wage cuts, while others expressed concerns over the scaling back of DEI initiatives in major companies.
Despite the minimal financial disruption reported by large retailers, small businesses and independent brands noticed a slight dip in transactions, highlighting the unintentional consequences of the protest. Some small business owners expressed frustration, arguing that corporate giants remained unaffected while local entrepreneurs were at the forefront of the impact.
“I fully support the message behind that blackout,” said Iyana Lettman, owner of a Brooklyn-based hair suite. “But for small businesses like myself, missing out on one client because of not being about to receive shipment, makes a big difference. I hope moving forward there will be a clear way for small businesses to support us without jeopardizing ourselves.”
Experts on the topic remain divided on the long-term effectiveness and impact of one-day economic protests. Some economists are debating that for real change to occur, constant and targeted action, such as ongoing boycotts of specific companies with outrageous, labor practices would be more effective. Others believe that the traction generated by the “Economic Blackout” could serve as a launching action for larger movements that would apply pressure on corporations to address social and economic concerns.
What Comes Next?
As a reaction to the varying impacts of the protest, The People’s Union has created a plan of action in order to carry on with their efforts of advocacy. Based on a statement made on March 5, the establishment plans to:
-Create a “Buy Black and Local” act that would encourage the public to change their spending habits in the direction of small businesses and black-owned brands instead of large companies.
-Push towards legislative action that entails fair wage laws
– Plan multiple town halls and online meetings that focus on educating the public about ethical spending and the influence that big businesses have on communities.
While the effect of these protests has not been visibly seen, organizers believe that continued pressure and consumer awareness can create a lasting change. As The People’s Union USA plots out its next steps, consumers must choose whether their commitment goes beyond a single day. Will this protest be remembered as a quick trend that just passed by, or is it just the beginning of a larger economic shift? The answer may lie in the choices they make, not just on Feb. 28, but every day after.
