Two advocacy groups, The People’s Union USA and Latino Freeze, called for a national economic blackout last Friday. The blackout is a result of recent cutbacks on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives following policy changes at the federal level. 

Taylor Doyle | [email protected] and Grace Johnson

According to the White House, on January 20, 2025, Trump issued an executive order “ending radical and wasteful government DEI programs and preferencing.” 

The protest organizers are asking Americans not to make any purchases on Friday. The People’s Union USA targets corporations such as Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy and McDonald’s. Participants can purchase necessary items, but should prioritize shopping at local businesses. 

At the University of Kansas, undergraduate business students are unaware of the economic blackout. Dr. Kissan Joseph, a marketing professor and expert in customer experience, is not surprised by this. 

“One thing you want to know is that the boycotts, we do see and observe, tend to have more of an impact,” Joseph said. “If there are one-hundred boycotts, five or six come to our attention and maybe they are the most pronounced ones. The remaining 95 we never heard about or they just sort of vanish.”

Historically, consumers have protested purchasing goods; the first significant time being the Boston Tea Party in 1773. Today, social changes tend to cause consumer protests. 

The impact of the blackout is uncertain. However, local and federal news will continue to discuss diversity, equity and inclusion.