A Nestlé DEI boycott begins this week. What Wisconsinites should know about latest spending freeze
The boycott, organized by the same activist group that planned the 24-hour economic spending blackout on Feb. 28, will last through Friday, March 28. A 40-day "fast" of Target is also underway.
The People's Union USA, led by John Schwarz, also organized a week-long boycott of Amazon that ended last Friday. Schwarz cited several reasons for the upcoming boycott, including Nestlé's alleged use of child labor, in a recent Instagram video.
"This is not just another boycott," Schwarz said. "It is a direct hit to one of the most corrupt global corporations there is."
More: DEI explained: What is DEI and why is it so divisive? What you need to know.
Here's what Wisconsin shoppers should know:
The Nestlé boycott is slightly different from past actions. Unlike the Target and Amazon spending freezes, consumers are urged to avoid buying products from the hundreds of brands Nestlé owns, ranging from pet food to bottled water to candies.
An entire list of brands owned by Nestlé can be found on its website.
The Nestlé boycott begins on Friday, March 21 and runs until Friday, March 28.
The faith community's 40-day boycott is in protest of the retailer's decision to reverse DEI initiatives. It began on Wednesday, March 5, and will continue for 40 days to align with Lent, which ends on Thursday, April 17.
Organizers created targetfast.org to offer information on the boycott.
"This is a fast for accountability," the boycott's website said. "A fast for justice. A fast for a future where corporations do not bow to pressure at the expense of marginalized communities."
More: A 40-day boycott of Target begins this week. Here's what Wisconsinites should know about it
The People's Union USA has more consumer boycotts planned in the coming months. Here is the schedule laid out in a flier found on its website:
Nestlé: March 21-28
Walmart: April 7-14 and May 20-26
Second economic blackout: April 18
General Mills: April 21-28
Amazon: May 6-12
Target: June 3-9
McDonald's: June 24-30
Independence Day boycott: July 4
Social media posts — using #LatinoFreezeMovement and #LatinoFreeze — have also encouraged consumers to "hold your money'' amid freezes on DEI initiatives, National Institutes of Health funding and immigration actions.
The National Action Network, founded by Rev. Al Sharpton, also said in a Feb. 25 news release that it will announce an authorized boycott at the NAN Convention in early April.
Lori Comstock and Chad Murphy contributed to this report.
More: UW-Madison under second investigation by Trump administration amid federal DEI crackdown
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Nestlé DEI boycott to begin Friday. What to know in Wisconsin
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