A consumer-activist group founded by John Schwarz has launched a grassroots campaign to halt spending online or instore and not use credit or debit cards for 24 hours on Friday, Feb. 28, in an attempt to disrupt the economic order and “take back control of our economy, government and future of our country,” reports Newsweek.

The People’s Union claims not to be a protest or political party, but a “movement of people unionizing” to expose corruption in the economic system and resist efforts by businesses, government and the “wealthy elite” to exploit workers, suppress wages and “keep the majority of us in a constant state of struggle.” The Feb. 28 Economic Blackout is the group’s opening salvo to disrupt and reform the American economic system from the ground up.

In general, corporations consider boycotts a mere nuisance and not of much consequence with some exceptions, e.g. Bud Light and Target boycotts in 2023. However, the People’s Union economic blackout and the 40-day Target fast are tapping into a groundswell of dissatisfaction in the direction of the country after the last election. Many object to actions taken by the Trump administration to reform government, abolish DEI and put power over federal government spending and government workers’ jobs into the hands of Elon Musk and the DOGE agenda. This movement points back to the success of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott in Alabama in the 1950’s and the Civil Rights protests of the 1960’s.

This movement has ties to the “underconsumption core” trend that began emerging last year on TikTok. It pushes back against blatant materialism and aggressive corporate marketing to entice consumers to buy more stuff. Underconsumption influencers have emerged on social media to exert social pressure on their followers to consume less and buy more responsibly, including buying second hand, repurposing used or outdated goods and gifting unwanted items to those who need. Underconsumption core goes along with the “Buy Nothing” movement that encourages sharing and giving instead of buying new things.

Senior Forbes.com contributor Shelley Kohan reported the Feb 28 Economic Blackout could have unintended consequences for small businesses, despite People’s Union call to turn to local small businesses. Noting that the rising power of consumer activism is at the heart of the economic blackout debate, she writes, “Small business owners highlight the delicate economic ecosystem is at stake.”

“This is not just another protest. This is not just another moment that fades into the background. This is the beginning of something unstoppable. For too long, they have dictated the rules. They have rigged the system. They have lined their pockets while we work harder, we struggle more, and we fight for the bare minimum. They keep us divided. They’ve kept us distracted and they keep us desperate, because that’s how they have stayed in power. But on February 28, we make it clear we do not have to play by their rules anymore. For one day, we stop everywhere, no Amazon, no Walmart, no fast food, no gas, no major corporations, nothing. For one day, we remind them who actually runs this economy and when they don’t listen, because they’re going to pretend they don’t hear us, we will go harder, because this is just our warning shot,” People’s Union’s Schwarz said in an Instagram post.

The People’s Union USA website

Will A Nationwide Economic Blackout Work? (Newsweek, 2/13/2025)

Talk Of A ‘Feb 28 Economic Blackout’ Is Spreading On Social Media. What Is It? (CBS News, 2/21/2025)