"No Amazon, no Walmart, no fast food": What's behind the U.S. economic shutdown on February 28th?

A grassroots group is calling on Americans to participate in a so-called "February 28 economic blackout" by not buying anything from major retailers for 24 hours.

The nationwide protests, taking place against the backdrop of rising prices for everything from gasoline to groceries - eggs in particular - are similar to economic campaigns that have been launched online on social media in recent months, including the "No buy 2025" challenge against excessive consumption.

Who was behind the February 28th Economic Blackout?

The Feb. 28 boycott was organized by the People's Union USA, which describes itself as a “grassroots movement dedicated to economic resistance, government accountability, and corporate reform.”

The group, founded by John Schwarz, says it is not affiliated with any political party. According to its website, its goal is to "unite Americans against the corruption and greed that has plagued us for decades."

Celebrities including John Leguizamo, Stephen King and Bette Midler advocated for the one-day boycott online.

What is the purpose of the boycott?

“All our lives, they’ve told us we have no choice, that this is how it is, that we have to accept these crazy prices, these corporate greed, these billionaire tax cuts, and we’re just going to struggle to survive," Schwarz said in a recent Instagram video. "One day, we’re finally going to turn this around.”

According to Schwarz, the move is designed to stop all shopping from major companies, both in-store and online, from 12 a.m. on Friday, February 28 to 11:59 p.m.

“No Amazon, no Walmart, no fast food, no gas," he said. "No unnecessary money spent."

What about medicines or emergency supplies?

On its website, the group urged consumers not to spend money on "non-essential" items.

For essentials like food, medicine or emergency supplies, Schwarz encourages participants to purchase from local small businesses rather than large retailers.

"Don't go out to big box stores," Schwarz said in the video. "If you have to go, go to local pizza places and small boutiques."

Economic Blackout hits all major retailers

Some companies supporting the shutdown have suggested boycotting specific companies that have ended their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs following President Trump’s executive order targeting DEI programs. While the People's Union called the abandonment of DEI programs “regressive and unacceptable,” the Feb. 28th boycott targets all major retailers, regardless of their stance on DEI.

"If we disrupt the economy for just one day, it will be enough to send a powerful signal," the group said on its website.

In a follow-up video posted on the eve of the planned blackout, Schwarz told his Instagram followers not to be discouraged if they saw people shopping on Friday.

"Remember: There are 340 million people in the United States, and not all of them will stand with us. But millions will," he said.

What happens after February 28th?

Schwarz told USA Today earlier this month that he wants to boycott other businesses that are "truly the biggest offenders in the system."

The People's Union has planned a week-long blackout targeting specific retailers such as Amazon, Target and Walmart.

The first attack on Amazon was planned to begin on March 7th.