Consumers Boycott Big Corporations With Nationwide Economic Blackout

Today, a nationwide economic blackout is making waves as consumers across the country urge to boycott major corporations for 24 hours. The boycott is specifically targeting well-known companies such as Target and Whole Foods, and it is gaining traction as a response to what participants are calling corporate greed. This protest was initially started by John Schwartz, a mindfulness and meditation educator, who has called for shoppers to halt purchases at these large corporations. His aim is to raise awareness about the growing power of big businesses and the alleged harm they inflict on smaller consumers and the economy. Reporter Brett Rosen spoke to one Coachella Valley local who expressed frustration with how smaller individuals are often taken advantage of by large corporations.

“Every time you turn around, everybody's trying to take advantage of the middleman, you know, the smaller people, not these big corporate owners and these big donors that contribute to our economy or contribute to the president’s power," John Mendoza said. "I think that's abusive, and we're the ones that pay the price for that."

The protest extends beyond mere economic boycotts. Participating shoppers are being encouraged to spend their money at local businesses instead. This gesture is a direct statement against what they see as corporate overreach and exploitation. Many protestors also allege that large companies have rolled back their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, leaving employees and consumers feeling abandoned. For more information tune into NBC Palm Springs.