A coalition of grassroots organizations is urging Americans to participate in a nationwide economic pause from November 25 to December 2. The initiative, known as the “Mass Blackout,” encourages individuals to halt spending at large corporations and refrain from work during this period, aiming to spotlight concerns over income disparity and political influence by wealthy interests. n nThe campaign specifically targets major retailers during one of the most active shopping periods of the year, including Black Friday on November 29 and Cyber Monday on December 1. However, participants are encouraged to support small businesses, particularly on Small Business Saturday, November 30, with organizers advising cash transactions to keep funds within local economies. n nGroups involved include Blackout the System, The People’s Sick Day, American Opposition, the Money Out of Politics Movement, and The Progressive Network. They argue that corporate dominance in policymaking has undermined democratic institutions and widened social inequities. Isaiah Rucker Jr., founder of Blackout the System, stated that the current political framework favors donors over citizens, and this movement seeks to demonstrate collective public power. n nCarlos Álvarez-Aranyos, head of American Opposition, emphasized that the effort transcends partisan divides, framing it instead as a struggle between economic elites and everyday people. He cited rising inflation and increasing corporate influence as key motivators. The coalition views these coordinated pauses as steps toward building momentum for broader actions, such as a general strike. n nSeparately, other campaigns have focused on pressuring companies like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Home Depot, and Kellogg’s over their scaling back of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Organizations such as Black Voters Matter, Indivisible, and Until Freedom have joined the call, urging consumers to redirect their spending toward community-based enterprises. n nThe People’s Union USA has maintained a list of targeted national brands, advocating for localized investment and consumption. According to data collected between February and September, multiple sustained boycotts have taken place, some lasting up to a month or longer. The overarching goal remains to use consumer behavior as a tool for systemic change, pushing both corporations and policymakers toward greater accountability. n
— News Original —n”New economic blackout wants people to skip work, Black Friday shopping”n”A coalition of grassroots groups is calling for a national economic blackout from November 25 to December 2. n nThe spending freeze targets major brands during the holiday shopping kickoff to protest the Trump administration and income inequality. n nProtesters are encouraged to support small, local businesses, especially on Small Business Saturday. n nOther ongoing boycotts are focused on major retailers like Amazon and Target for rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion programs. n nA group of organizations is calling for a national economic blackout on one of the busiest shopping weeks of the year. They ‘re calling for a spending freeze at major brands on the kickoff to holiday shopping season to protest the Trump administration and income inequality. n nBlackout the System, The People’s Sick Day, American Opposition, the Money Out of Politics Movement, and The Progressive Network are grassroots groups urging Americans to enact a seven-day spending freeze and call out of work. n nThe “Mass Blackout,” includes Black Friday on Nov. 29 and Cyber Monday on Dec. 1, but there ‘s an exemption for Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30. n nSeveral large-scale spending freezes or economic blackouts have happened since February. The first had the most popular support. n nMany economic protests in 2025 have been an effort to get companies to bring back diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. Some aimed to send a message to the federal government or push for more general social changes like racial equality or better pay. n nMultiple major brands and retailers have been the focus of boycotts that have ranged from seven days to a month or more. Some companies, like Target, Walmart and Amazon, have been repeatedly highlighted. n nOngoing boycotts will continue focusing on Amazon, Target and other brands through the end of November. n nHere ‘s what you need to know about November economic blackouts or brand boycotts and the groups leading them. n nWhen is the Mass Blackout economic protest? n nThe economic blackout is set for Nov. 25 through Dec. 2. People are asked to limit spending. n nThey ‘re asking people to stop spending on digital subscriptions, travel and restaurants. “If you must spend: support small, local businesses only. Pay in cash.” n nWhy are so many groups working on the economic blackout? n nThe groups in the coalition had all independently called for shopping boycotts but decided to join forces for Mass Blackout. n n”We are living under a political system captured by special interests, where billionaires and corporations write the rules,” Isaiah Rucker Jr., founder of Blackout the System, said in a statement. “Congress serves donors, not the American people, and democratic norms are being dismantled in front of our eyes, with corporate backing. This campaign is about showing them where the power truly lies, with the people.” n nCarlos Álvarez-Aranyos, founder of American Opposition, told USA TODAY the coalition is “developing the American muscle for boycotts and blackouts as a way to leverage economic power” with the ultimate goal of leading a general strike. n n”We don’t see this fight as left versus right. We see it more as top versus bottom,” Álvarez-Aranyos, who helped organize the “No Kings” protests and the Tesla boycott, said in an interview. “This is about Black Friday because, honestly, what we are seeing across the board is just unsustainable. We are being taken advantage of. Prices are up. Inflation is through the roof.” n nOther boycotts focus on DEI, major brands n nThe People ‘s Union USA is focusing on a handful of big brands throughout November. The list includes Amazon, Target, Home Depot and Kellogg ‘s. Historically, the group has asked supporters to shop at local businesses and keep spending and investments close to home. n nGrassroots organizations, including Black Voters Matter, Indivisible, and Until Freedom, are asking shoppers to boycott major retailers, including Amazon, Target, and Home Depot, that they say caved to President Donald Trump and reneged on pledges to support diversity, equity and inclusion programs. n nJessica Guynn is a senior reporter on the USA TODAY money team.”