(NewsNation) — McDonald’s is the latest target of an “economic blackout,” a grassroots boycott campaign led by a consumer activist group that’s already gone after Amazon, Nestle and Walmart.
The People’s Union USA is calling for a weeklong “McDonald’s Blackout” starting June 24, part of a broader effort to “hit corporations in their wallets.” The group is accusing the burger giant of making “false DEI promises,” “price gouging,” “corporate greed” and other issues.
“This is not about fast food, this is about the power of the people,” John Schwarz, the group’s founder, said in an Instagram video Tuesday.
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McDonald’s called the protest group’s claims “misleading” in an emailed statement and said it was disappointed to see the company’s values distorted and its actions misrepresented.
The activist organization’s website says it’s not affiliated with a political party and describes itself as a grassroots movement focused on “economic resistance, corporate accountability, and real justice for the working class.”
In February, The People’s Union USA spearheaded a 24-hour “economic blackout,” encouraging Americans to refrain from all spending. It’s not clear that the protest had any effect, but one expert told NewsNation it had “zero impact” on the economy.
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Why is the group calling for a McDonald’s boycott?
The activist group listed six reasons for the latest blackout, accusing McDonald’s of price gouging, exploiting tax loopholes, suppressing workers’ rights, supporting political figures who “threaten democracy,” prioritizing profit over people and practicing “performative DEI with no meaningful change.”
“This is about more than burgers and fries, this is about power,” The People’s Union USA wrote on social media.
McDonald’s told NewsNation that its system generates billions in federal, state and local taxes each year, and provides jobs for more than 800,000 restaurant crew members.
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While the boycott group’s list of grievances is broad, some companies have faced measurable pushback after scaling back diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, most notably Target.
In January, McDonald’s ended some of its specific diversity goals, citing a “shifting legal landscape” in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that outlawed affirmative action in college admissions.
Specifically, the company said it would no longer set “aspirational representation goals,” targets for achieving diversity at senior leadership levels. However, McDonald’s has kept several other programs and maintains that its focus on inclusion remains.
Companies have faced significant pressure from both sides of the political aisle over DEI policies, with President Donald Trump blasting the initiatives, while Democrats see the corporate backdown as profit-driven cowardice.
Recent Ipsos polling suggests that most Americans (63%) — including majorities of both Republicans and Democrats — believe companies should remain neutral on political issues, a share that has grown in recent years.
The same survey found that roughly half of respondents would be less likely to buy from a company that took a stand on a social or political issue they disagreed with.
“As a brand that serves millions of people every day, McDonald’s opens our doors to everyone, and our commitment to inclusion remains steadfast,” the company said in an email.
The People’s Union USA is also leading an economic blackout on the Fourth of July, with the group calling for “no parades,” “no public firework shows” and “no big box store spending.”
“If you do anything, support small, local businesses, or stay home with your loved ones. Let silence speak louder than fireworks,” the organization wrote on Instagram.
McDonald’s stock was up slightly Tuesday afternoon, rising 0.72% at the time of writing, after the company announced it was ending its partnership with Krispy Kreme.
