"Buy Nothing" goes national

Can a 24-hour economic blackout on Feb. 28 change anything at all?

I saw the below “poster” on Facebook shared in one of the #resistance groups so many of us joined in 2016.

I like the concept of collectively not-buying as action (quite easy for most of us to do), but the poster alone doesn’t specify what the cause of the movement is, and I can think of at least 10 that could be attached to the message.

And the skeptic in me has to wonder: Is this another “Blackout Tuesday” stunt? Something with good intentions, but kind of empty or reductive execution?

A little digging into “Economic Blackout February 28” uncovered the following:

• The “24 hour economic blackout” is being run by The People’s Union USA, which describes itself as “a movement of people, unionizing to take back control of our economy, government and future of our country.” In the FAQ section, the site states, “Our goal is to unite Americans against the corruption and greed that has kept us struggling for decades.”

• This grassroots movement was founded by John Schwarz (in the video below) whose mission, while vague, is something that feels comfortable to support. He writes:

“The system is designed to keep all of us trapped. That is why I started This movement. Because I believe we deserve better. Because I believe it is possible to break free from a system built to exploit us.”

theonecalledjai

A post shared by @theonecalledjai

• While explicitly not associated with any political party, the People’s Union is pro-DEI: “Every American deserves an equal chance at success, and we will not support policies that encourage discrimination or exclusion.”

• The group lists eight demands, which include:

  • 1. End Government Corruption & Give Power Back to the People

  • 2. Economic Reform: Stop Corporate Greed & End Financial Slavery

  • 3. Healthcare for All: No One Should Suffer for Profit

  • 4. Equality & Freedom for All

  • 5. Immigration & Border Reform

  • 6. Incorporate Technology to Free, Not Control Us

  • 7. The Future: A World Beyond Monetary Slavery

  • 8. Corporate Accountability & Consumer Protection

Related:

47 places you can stop spending money at

While none of these listed demands are new in progressive circles, it’s easy to nod along with (a tiny bit of) hope while reading them. Yes, yes, this is what the people want. And I think garnering support and coverage by asking people *not* to do something is really clever: It’s easy to feel a part of something (and virtue signal) simply by opting *out.* The call-to-action is a call for rest, and we could all use a nap in the name of a better tomorrow.

"The People's Union USA is not just about one day, it's about creating a long term strategic action. February 28th is the start, but we are building a sustained movement that continues to grow with each video posted,"Schwarz told Newsweek. "This isn't a one time protest, it really is the beginning of a shift in how the people can demonstrate their power intelligently to the corporations and government."

After Feb. 28, the People’s Union is running additional buy-nothing days, some of which are targeted to specific sectors/companies. So far, the following blackout dates are listed on the site:

• March 7-14: Amazon Blackout — No Amazon purchases, no Whole Foods, no Prime orders.

• March 21-28: Nestlé Blackout — Boycotting Nestlé-owned brands due to water exploitation, child labor, and corporate greed.

• March 28: 24-Hour Economic Blackout #2 — No spending for one full day.

• April 7-13: Walmart Blackout – Shutting down spending at one of the biggest price-gouging, worker-exploiting corporations.

• April 18: Economic Blackout #3 — Another full 24-hour halt to the economy.

• April 21-27: General Mills Blackout —Exposing food industry corruption and the poisoning of our families.

Related:

31 days without Amazon

But will it work?

Can collectively not buying for a single day (and that’s if enough folks agree to participate) send a message to the big wigs? The opinions, Newsweek reports, are mixed:

• Alex Beene, financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin: "If you're looking to make an impact, I think targeting specific entities and products isn't always the best way to go. The better decision is to make cuts to your budget where you can and donate to causes you support. Change costs money, whether it's through a non-profit, a social campaign or a political run for office. Using your financial resources to assist in those is a more sound long-term play than carefully watching the exact retailer you use to buy groceries or medicine from each week."

• Kevin Thompson, finance expert and CEO of 9i Capital Group: "A lot of people dismiss the idea, arguing that a one-day spending freeze won't move the needle for major corporations or the broader financial system. And I agree—it'll likely have a minimal direct impact. But what many overlook is the power of the idea. The playbook for this already exists—Montgomery, 1955, the Bus Boycott. If this gains traction, it could turn into something much bigger, especially if people extend it beyond just one day."

• Nekima Levy Armstrong, Minneapolis-based civil rights lawyer and founder of the Racial Justice Network: "Taking this uniform approach to collectively wield our economic power reminds us that we are not helpless and hopeless, but that we have the power to effect change on a broader scale."

My two cents? If anything, the action is good kindling for the fire: Maybe it won’t cut into corporate bottom lines in a significant way, but it can rally a people to start making more moves. At it’s most effective, the buy nothing day is perhaps a momentum starter. That’s not enough, no, but it’s something. And to me, any collective push to buy less shit and re-evaluate our relationship with consumerism is a worthy cause.

What do you think? Will you partake in the big February boycott? Do you even care? Is it very small potatoes? Please let me know in the comments.

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