Presidents Day protests in Eugene: Watch as hundreds gather
Hundreds of demonstrators carry signs and chant against actions taken by Donald Trump and Elon Musk on Presidents Day.
- Consumers may participate in a 24-hour economic blackout on Friday.
- The boycott aims to address corporate greed and promote social change.
- This wider movement features boycotts of particular companies such as Amazon, Nestle, and Walmart.
Consumers are gearing up for a 24-hour economic blackout this Friday as part of a larger initiative opposing corporate practices and the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
Organizers indicate the protest targets corporate greed, the reduction of DEI initiatives, and President Donald Trump’s actions to dismantle federal DEI programs.
Groups backing the protests advise participants not to spend money on Friday. If spending occurs, they are encouraged to shop at local businesses.
What is the motivation behind the buying boycott on Feb. 28?
The boycott was initially organized by John Schwarz, known as “TheOneCalledJai” on Instagram. In a prior interview with USA TODAY, he characterized the initiative as a “bold” reaction to escalating dissatisfaction with corporate greed and social issues.
This one-day event has been extended by The People’s Union, the organization that Schwarz founded. It features boycotts of various retailers over different periods, including Amazon (March 7-14), Nestle (March 21-28), and Walmart (April 7-14), along with a second, comprehensive one-day economic blackout on April 18.
Are boycotts effective?
In recent years, conservative activists have effectively used boycotts to compel retailers and companies to curb their DEI efforts by threatening sales losses.
Researchers consulted by USA TODAY noted that while boycotts can successfully pressure companies into reversing decisions or taking actions, they are not always successful. Consumers appreciate the opportunity to advocate for causes they believe in, but effective boycotts usually require clear and defined actions.
What other consumer boycotts are occurring?
The boycott on Feb. 28 is one of several.
There is a nationwide boycott of Target that commenced on Feb. 1, aligned with Black History Month. This effort was initiated by civil rights activists in Minneapolis, upset by Target’s decrease in its DEI initiatives. Additionally, comedian and actress Leslie Jones has outlined another boycott lasting through the end of the year on Instagram, encouraging consumers to support Black-owned businesses while announcing planned protests against Amazon, Target, and Walmart at various months.
The faith community is also organizing a 40-day fast or boycott of Target starting March 5, with further information available on their website, www.targetfast.org.
Moreover, the Latino community is active on social media utilizing the hashtag #LatinoFreeze, urging supporters to “hold your money” in response to freezes on DEI initiatives, decreased NIH funding, and other immigration-related actions.
The movement motivates Latino Americans to only purchase essentials and to be mindful of where they shop, focusing on supporting “Latino American, Black American, and Allied American Businesses that advocate for this cause.”
The Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network have also hosted several “buy-cotts” to encourage supporters to shop at Costco in support of the company’s board, which opted against abandoning DEI initiatives.
Additionally, the National Action Network announced in a press release it will spearhead “a strategic boycott within the next 90 days against two companies that have ceased their DEI commitments due to public pressure.” Specific details remain undisclosed.
What are the positions of major Oregon companies regarding DEI?
All six Fortune 1000 companies based in Oregon have publicly maintained their DEI commitments.
Nike
“NIKE, Inc. is developing more equitable and inclusive practices to empower our current 80,000 employees and shape the workforce of the future,” stated Nike on its impact webpage.
Lithia Motors
As per Lithia’s website, one of its goals is to “Foster a Diverse, Inclusive & High-Performance Culture” by “champion(ing) leadership programs where internal promotion paves the way to career advancements, and recognition programs celebrate employee contributions.”
Greenbrier Companies
“Our IDEAL (inclusion, diversity, equity, access, and leadership) Commitment fosters a culture of growth and opportunities for employees at all levels and backgrounds by providing tools and resources for managing their development journey and career trajectories,” as stated by Greenbrier on its diversity webpage.
Columbia Sportswear
“We connect active individuals with their passions across various demographics. Upholding our core value of doing right by our consumers, customers, employees, the company, and our communities, we are committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive identity because we all agree—the outdoors belong to everyone,” remarked Columbia on its inclusion, diversity & equity page.
Portland General Electric
“We are committed to bringing everyone into the clean energy future, from our employees to our customers. This involves recognizing, integrating, and uplifting the diverse voices present in the communities we serve,” stated Portland General Electric on its diversity, equity, and inclusion page.
Radius Recycling
“DEI is vital to our business strategy and overall success, including a commitment to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and cultivating a workplace culture where employees collaborate towards shared goals. Our formal DEI program honors employees of various backgrounds by promoting a safe, healthy environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity,” Radius Recycling indicated on its culture page.
Alan Torres reports on local government for the Register-Guard. He can be contacted via email at atorres@registerguard.com or on X @alanfryetorres.
USA Today consumer reporter Betty Lin-Fisher contributed to this report.
