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The power of the people has always been the greatest force for change. Throughout history, movements for civil rights, labor protections, and social justice have succeeded by using economic leverage to pressure corporations and governments to act in the public’s best interest. Today, as we witness the continued erosion of our rights and freedoms, we must once again turn to one of the most effective tools at our disposal: economic boycotts.
Economic Boycotts: A Powerful Tool to Defend Our Rights and Freedoms
Money talks. Corporations and industries thrive on consumer spending, and when that revenue stream is threatened, they take notice. Boycotts put direct financial pressure on companies and institutions that enable or support policies undermining our freedoms. Whether it’s reproductive rights, voting rights, fair wages, or environmental protections, corporations often play a role in funding or lobbying for policies that harm the public. By refusing to support these companies with our dollars, we can hold them accountable and force change.
History proves that economic boycotts are effective. The Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955, led by Black activists including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., assisted in ending segregation on public buses by crippling the transit system’s revenue. The United Farm Workers’ grape boycott in the 1960s and 1970s brought national attention to the exploitation of farmworkers, leading to improved labor conditions. More recently, public boycotts of companies supporting voter suppression and attacks on LGBTQIA+ rights have forced corporations to reconsider their political alignments.
The February 28 Economic Blackout
A planned 24-hour economic blackout on February 28, 2025, calls on consumers to abstain from all non-essential purchases, particularly from major corporations such as Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. Participants are encouraged to avoid spending on fast food and gas, and if necessary, to support small, local businesses using cash transactions. The goal is to demonstrate the economic power of everyday people and protest against rising living costs and corporate exploitation. 1
Targeting Economic Power to Defend Democracy
In today’s political climate, corporations are heavily involved in lobbying efforts that shape our laws. Many companies donate to politicians and organizations that are actively working to strip away reproductive freedoms, undermine voting rights, attack unions, and weaken environmental regulations. By identifying these businesses and refusing to support them, we send a clear message: If you fund oppression, you will lose our business.
Boycotts don’t just send a message—they hit where it hurts. When a company sees declining sales, stock drops, or brand damage due to consumer backlash, it forces executives to reconsider their alliances and policies. Public pressure through boycotts can lead corporations to cut ties with extremist politicians, withdraw from harmful lobbying efforts, and adopt more ethical business practices.
A Call to Action: Where Do We Start?
To make boycotts effective, we must be strategic and collective in our efforts. Here’s how we can take action:
Identify the Bad Actors – Research which corporations are funding attacks on our rights, whether through political donations, harmful policies, or lobbying efforts.
Here is a list of notable organizations and individuals that endorsed Trump
Click here to see the top campaign donors to Trump’s 2024 campaign
Here is a list of notable donors 1 to Trump’s second inauguration:
Open Ai, Meta (Facebook & Instagram), Amazon, Apple, Uber, Google, Microsoft, Adobe, Perplexity
Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Chevron, Hyundai, Stellantis
Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, JPMorgan, Kraken, Coinbase, Intuit, Ken Griffin, Ripple, Ondo Finance
At & T, Comcast, Charter
Stanley Black & Decker, Pratt Industries, Boeing, Lockheed Martin
Delta Airlines and McDonalds
Noteworthy mention:
Spread the Word – Use social media, advocacy groups, and grassroots organizations to educate others about why boycotts matter and which companies to avoid.
Support Ethical Alternatives – A boycott is even more effective when we redirect our spending to businesses that align with our values, such as small businesses, union-friendly companies, and ethical brands. We love Goods Unite Us as a tool to see the political affiliations of thousands of brands and companies.
Hold the Line – Boycotts require sustained pressure. Companies often count on public outrage fading. We must stay committed until real change happens.
Demand Accountability – Let companies know why you are boycotting them. Email their customer service, comment on their social media, and publicly call for them to end harmful practices.
Conclusion: Our Dollars, Our Power
Corporations and governments will not change unless we force them to. Economic boycotts have historically been one of the most powerful tools for social and political change. If we want to protect our democracy, our rights, and our freedoms, we must wield our economic power wisely. Every dollar we spend is a vote for the kind of world we want to live in. It’s time to make sure our spending aligns with our values.
The fight for justice doesn’t just happen at the ballot box—it happens every day in the choices we make. Let’s stand together and make our voices heard where it matters most: in the economy that fuels the very systems we seek to change.
📢 We're fighting fascism, and this is how we reclaim our power! 💥
Grassroots activism is a powerful force that can shape the direction of a nation.
Many of us can do one or two simple things a day for advocacy, but we need more people taking action.
The longer the power of the people stays on the sideline, the stronger Trump, Musk, and Putin grow.
If we want to protect the future of this country, we must double down on our organizing efforts to build people power in every city and every state in our nation.
We must show up, speak out, and build power to replace these corrupt politicians.
By taking action, holding leaders accountable, and advocating for dignity, respect, and opportunity for all, we can build an America that lives up to the values of liberty and justice for all, not just the wealthy, powerful, or privileged.
Here are some ways we can take action:
We will resist through rallies, protests, general strikes, boycotts, and 198 acts of civil disobedience, targeting anyone who enables or attacks our communities with oppression, injustice, hatred, and bigotry.
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People Power United is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber or gifting to someone you know that values liberty and justice for all-not just the wealthy or powerful.
https://time.com/7262444/why-consumers-are-planning-economic-blackout-february-28/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/economic-blackout-feb-24-hour-february-28-2025-peoples-union/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/02/26/feb-28-economic-blackout-boycott/
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