A local movement is urging people to stop buying from McDonald's for the next seven days. (Photo: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images via CNN Newsource)
McDonald’s is the latest big name in the U.S. to be pulled into a growing grassroots boycott campaign. Led by John Schwarz and his group, The People’s Union USA, the movement is asking Americans to stop buying from McDonald’s starting this Tuesday and continuing through the following Monday.
The campaign, called an “economic blackout,” is pressing for four demands: fairer taxes, an end to excessive pricing, genuine equality, and stronger corporate responsibility. Schwarz explained on Instagram, “This is a show of strength, unity, and people-powered change. Let them hear us. Let them feel our absence.”
McDonald’s responded, expressing disappointment over what it called “misleading claims” that twist the company’s intentions. In a statement to CNN, the fast-food giant defended its stance, highlighting its efforts to create opportunities for 800,000 employees and its ongoing partnerships with suppliers. The company also emphasized that it contributes billions in taxes at various government levels and affirmed its dedication to diversity and inclusion.
Still, the protest comes at a tough time for the brand. McDonald’s recently posted its second straight quarter of declining sales. Inflation, job insecurity, and rising prices have caused many customers—especially from low- and middle-income groups—to cut back on spending. Some have also voiced concern over rising food prices. Since 2019, the average price of McDonald’s menu items has increased by nearly 40%, which the company says reflects increased operational costs.
Schwarz, the movement’s organizer, didn’t provide further comments, but his website outlines the group’s goals: to fight back against what it sees as long-standing greed and injustice in big businesses and the government. He has previously led boycotts targeting major brands like Walmart, Target, and Amazon, pointing to issues like reduced focus on diversity and equality.
Boycott Background: Why McDonald’s Is in the Spotlight
This is not the first campaign of its kind from Schwarz. Earlier this year, his group called for an economic boycott of major retailers such as Walmart and Target. The goal? To protest the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs by these companies.
McDonald’s has also made changes in this area. In January, it quietly dropped certain diversity goals for its suppliers and stopped participating in third-party DEI surveys. It also renamed its internal diversity unit to the “Global Inclusion Team,” a move that’s becoming more common in the corporate world.
The rollback of DEI efforts is part of a larger trend. Many companies have made similar moves following political changes, including Donald Trump’s reelection campaign and a recent Supreme Court ruling that weakened affirmative action. Mounting online pressure, legal challenges, and customer reactions have driven brands like Walmart, Ford, Harley-Davidson, and John Deere to revise or scale back their inclusion programs.
Despite these efforts, it’s unclear if the economic blackout movement will have any real financial impact. A similar call to boycott Amazon in March didn’t slow the company down—Amazon actually posted better-than-expected earnings. Experts say that while the message may be strong, the decentralized nature of the movement and the sheer size of the companies involved make lasting effects unlikely.
However, not all boycott attempts have failed. A separate 40-day boycott against Target, organized by megachurch pastor Rev. Jamal Bryant, did manage to dent sales. The company acknowledged that backlash over its DEI changes contributed to the sales dip.
As for McDonald’s, whether this week-long boycott will result in real damage remains to be seen. But it’s clear the pressure is building—and the people leading these protests are not backing down.
