01-05-2025
List of Stores Being Boycotted in May
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A grassroots organization is gearing up for "round two" of national boycotts of Amazon and Walmart as part of a continued series of economic resistance to benefit the working class.
The nonpartisan People's Union USA has pushed economic boycotts of some of the country's biggest companies since February, vowing to protect the American working class from "the greed and corruption that's kept us divided, distracted, and struggling for decades."
Newsweek reached out to its founder, John Schwarz, for comment.
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump celebrated his first 100 days in office on Tuesday, but news out of his own government a day later showed a bleaker picture than he painted both on the campaign trail and in his first three months.
The U.S. economy experienced its first contraction in three years in the first quarter of 2025, shrinking by 0.3 percent as unease surrounds an economy marred by sweeping tariffs on aluminum and steel, autos, and products in nearly every country. As fears of a recession metastasize, Trump's approval ratings have hit historic lows according to numerous polls—which he called "fake" during a speech Tuesday in Michigan.
What To Know
The "Economic Blackout Tour" is not meant to repudiate Trump, Elon Musk, Joe Biden or any other politician, The People's Union says on its website. It's unaffiliated with any political party or ideological persuasion.
"We don't play party games," the website reads. "We don't care who's wearing the suit. What we care about is truth, the people, and the power we hold when we stand together. ... This isn't about personalities, it's about the system.
"Both parties have failed us. Billionaires and corporations have bought the government and weaponized the economy. We are not here to argue about figureheads; we're here to dismantle the rigged structure that's been crushing the working class for decades. We don't take sides, we take action."
President of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO Samuel Epps during the People Over Profit: Interfaith Gathering and Call to Action at the U.S. Treasury Building on April 10, 2025 in Washington, DC.
President of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO Samuel Epps during the People Over Profit: Interfaith Gathering and Call to Action at the U.S. Treasury Building on April 10, 2025 in Washington, Economic Security Project
Boycotts since February 28 have already targeted Amazon, Nestle, Walmart and General Mills.
Amazon and Walmart are again drawing the attention of the group and its supporters, with the former being boycotted from May 6 to 12 and the latter from May 20 to 26.
Schwarz, who has more than 425,000 followers on Instagram alone, said in a video released Tuesday that it's not about Trump and the government "tanking the economy" or "hurting the stock market."
Rather, he said there are three main objectives: making corporations pay their fair share in taxes; a reasonable profit margin cap that dissuades price gouging of consumers; and "equality across the board."
Their website does state that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives should not be rolled back or eliminated, calling such methods "backward, regressive and dangerous."
"We are targeting individual companies who are the biggest offenders of those things," Schwarz said. "Amazon is coming up for round two, Walmart's coming up for round two. We've got Target coming up [in June], which we're going to be calling just to the end of Target—they've had their chance, they're not budging.
"It's time to just put them out of business, and we're gonna escalate on a few companies after the Fourth of July. We'll get there. Right now, this is what we're doing: strategic economic resistance with a point and demands that we the people want to see met."
During the first boycott of Walmart earlier this month, a company spokesperson told Newsweek that "serving communities is at the heart of Walmart's purpose."
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon makes over $25 million per year.
Schwarz said then that retail stores, online stores, pharmacies, private label brands, subscription services and clubs were all part of the boycott efforts.
On Tuesday, after a report by Punchbowl indicating that Amazon was going to show the impact of tariffs on item costs on its website, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the company's move "a hostile and political act by Amazon."
The company later walked back the claims, saying it was "never a consideration" for the main website and just under consideration for one part of its business.
What People Are Saying
Walmart to Newsweek earlier this month: "As one of the largest corporate taxpayers in the country, not only do we pay our fair share, we are an economic force multiplier strengthening communities nationwide through job creation, supplier growth, and over $1.7 billion in cash and in-kind donations last remain dedicated to earning the business of all Americans and giving our time and resources to causes that uplift and unite communities who rely on us every day."
John Schwarz, in an Instagram post during the first Amazon boycott: "Every boycott, every blackout, every stand we take together is shaking their foundation. This moment isn't just about resistance, it's about reclaiming what's ours. Hold the line. Stay strong. The future is in our hands."
What Happens Next
Future boycott efforts by The People's Union include Target from June 3 to 9; McDonald's from June 24 to 30; and an Independence Day boycott. They say more boycotts are being planned, with details to follow.
