Economic Blackout - Time to Use the Power of the Purse

Join the Boycott on February 28

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Think about it. Large retailers like Target and Home Depot generate massive revenues every single day. For example, Target’s average daily revenue is $230 million and Home Depot’s average daily revenue is $400 million.

We can control what we buy and from whom. Grab your wallet and shop your values. It’s time for some consumer warfare.

There is a national boycott on February 28. For one 24-hour period:

• Do not make any purchases

• Do not shop online, or in-store

• No Amazon, No Walmart, No Best Buy

• Nowhere!

• Do not spend money on:

  • Fast food

  • Gas

  • Major retailers

• Do not use credit or debit cards for non essential spending

John Schwarz, founder of The People’s Movement, started this idea. As Schwarz points out: “A one-day boycott alone will not significantly hurt corporate revenues, but it can be a powerful awareness tool.”

Momentum to join the boycott is spreading. Activist Dolores Huerta and actor John Leguizamo are encouraging Latinos to participate in the Feb. 28 boycott, which they’re calling a “Latino Freeze” of companies that have abandoned DEI.

Let’s be real. A one day boycott is not going to change the mess we’re in. However it can send an important message that we citizens understand the power to spend only where we are respected. And, it can get people to think twice about the company they purchase from. This will have long term repercussions.

People shopping their values is already happening. According to a recent Harris Poll, four out of 10 Americans have shifted their spending to align with their moral views. If you’re looking for Amazon alternatives, check out this list.

Let’s not stop at retailers. All businesses who bend to this administration need to feel our might. Airbnb co-Founder, Joe Gebbia, has joined Musk’s team and the backlash by Airbnb hosts has been swift.

The Freedom Writers Collaborative has made some excellent tools to help spread the word, from a video to a social media toolkit. All the graphics in this article come from this toolkit.

We’ve seen boycotts work during Trump 1.0. The #GrabYourWallet boycott demonstrated women’s spending power. Armed with a Google spreadsheet of Trump family brands, women demanded that retailers drop these products. #GrabYourWallet was viewed over a billion times on social media and over 70 companies severed ties with the Trump brand.

This Friday, let’s make sure Republicans understand that they should never underestimate the power of consumers.