Faith Leaders Call on Chicagoans to Join Nationwide Economic Blackout
The Rainbow PUSH Coalition gathered several of the city’s faith leaders Thursday to call on Chicagoans to not spend any money on Friday. Their effort joins a nationwide movement for an economic blackout to protest corporate greed and companies like Amazon rolling back their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
The Call to Action
“The act of not buying is action,” the Rev. James Moody of the African Methodist Episcopal Church told reporters at Rainbow PUSH headquarters Thursday afternoon. “I encourage everyone to take action by not acting. By not acting … the economic power of the African American community and those who join with us is felt.”
The 24-Hour Blackout
The 24-hour blackout starts at midnight Friday and ends midnight Saturday. Rainbow PUSH’s callout focused on encouraging faith leaders of all religions to mobilize their congregations to participate in the blackout.
“Don’t Spend a Single Dollar”
“Don’t spend a single dollar. Don’t spend at major retailers, fast food chains, gas stations or online platforms; we specifically call out Amazon. Let’s not spend a penny,” said the Rev. Ira Acree, lead pastor at Greater St. John Bible Church. “If there is to be some necessary or essential spending, let’s empower our local communities. Let’s empower our local stores.”
Rev. Ira Acree Speaks
Rev. Ira Acree Speaks at Rainbow PUSH Coalition
The Rev. Ira Acree speaks at Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters Thursday. “Don’t spend a single dollar. Don’t spend at major retailers, fast food chains, gas stations or online platforms,” Acree said of the nationwide effort for an economic blackout Friday.
The Rev. Marshall Hatch
The Rev. Marshall Hatch said the inspiration for joining the blackout came from people feeling powerless about “what’s going on in our country.”
“Boycott means we do not just simply vote every four years or we vote on election days, but we vote every day when we spend our dollars,” Hatch said. “We cannot shop anywhere, and that, of course, is an organizing tactic. It’s a way to strategically have people inspired about their own power.”
The Ongoing Boycotts
Friday’s blackout is one of several ongoing boycotts advocates have launched recently, taking aim at companies like Target and Walmart for retreating from DEI initiatives.
John Schwarz, founder of the grassroots organization the People’s Union USA and the organizer behind Friday’s boycott, posted on Instagram that the blackout pushes back against the notion that Americans have no choice and must “accept these insane prices, the corporate greed, the billionaire tax breaks, all while we struggle to just get by.”
The People’s Union USA is planning boycotts of various other companies, including Nestle and General Mills, between March and April, according to the group’s website.
Schwarz’s Message
Schwarz, who lives in the Chicago area, told WBEZ’s Sasha-Ann Simons he was fed up with “everything going on in politics, in the environment and in the country as a whole.”
“Tomorrow is not about hurting anyone’s wallets,” he said. “It’s about showing that ‘we are here. We are not stopping until we get the things we deserve.'”
Conclusion
The economic blackout is an opportunity for individuals to take a stand against corporate greed and to demand change. By not spending a single dollar, individuals can make a collective impact and demonstrate their power in the economy.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the economic blackout?
A: The purpose of the economic blackout is to protest corporate greed and companies like Amazon rolling back their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Q: How long will the economic blackout last?
A: The economic blackout will last 24 hours, starting at midnight Friday and ending at midnight Saturday.
Q: What companies are targeted in the boycott?
A: Companies like Amazon, Target, and Walmart are targeted in the boycott for retreating from DEI initiatives.
Q: How can I get involved?
A: Individuals can get involved by not spending a single dollar on Friday and by spreading the word about the economic blackout through social media and other channels.
Q: What is the goal of the economic blackout?
A: The goal of the economic blackout is to demonstrate the collective power of individuals in the economy and to demand change from corporations that prioritize profit over people.
