by Alice Ibarra in Business

In early February, John Schwarz, a mindfulness and meditation facilitator, proposed a 24-hour nationwide "economic blackout" on February 28th, urging people to boycott major chains like Amazon and Walmart. His call, initially expecting minimal participation, went viral, garnering millions of views and celebrity support. While experts doubt its effectiveness in significantly impacting major corporations, the boycott taps into widespread public anger towards the American economy and corporate power. The movement, though uncoordinated, reflects a desire for collective action outside the traditional political arena. The boycott's reasons are diverse, encompassing high prices, corporate power, political grievances, and opposition to the rollback of DEI policies. Schwarz formed "The People's Union" to organize further action. The boycott coincides with a more organized effort to target Target, which has faced backlash for scaling back its DEI initiatives. This has led to decreased foot traffic at Target, although this may be due to various factors. While boycotts are often short-lived and hard to sustain, they can raise awareness, pressure companies, and damage reputations. The Bud Light boycott is cited as a recent example of a successful, albeit right-wing, campaign. Ultimately, while the success of Schwarz's boycott remains uncertain, it highlights the potent combination of social media, public frustration, and the potential for consumer action to influence corporate behavior.