April 9, 2025
Walmart is under fire this week as a coordinated boycott sweeps across the country, targeting the retail giant over its recent decision to scale back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The boycott, organized by the advocacy group People’s Union USA, runs from April 7 through April 14 and urges shoppers to avoid all Walmart services—both in-store and online.
Dubbed a "retail blackout," the campaign is also a broader protest against corporate tax avoidance, rising consumer prices, and economic inequality. In addition to Walmart, other big-box retailers such as Target and Amazon have been mentioned by activists as part of a growing frustration with corporate policies seen as favoring profits over people.
The controversy began after Walmart announced it would no longer prioritize suppliers based on race or gender and ended its involvement in The Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index. The company also chose not to renew its five-year commitment to its Center for Racial Equity, signaling a strategic shift away from certain DEI-focused programs.
In response, Walmart issued a statement defending its corporate values and community efforts. The company highlighted its role as one of the nation's top taxpayers and cited over $1.7 billion in charitable donations, emphasizing its continued investment in job creation and local communities.
Despite this, public backlash has been swift. Social media platforms have seen a surge in posts supporting the boycott, with hashtags such as #BoycottWalmart and #RetailBlackout gaining traction. Critics argue the rollback is a capitulation to political pressure and a step backward for inclusive business practices.
Walmart’s decision aligns with a broader trend among major U.S. companies scaling back DEI programs after facing criticism from conservative activists and politicians. As the debate intensifies, experts say the outcome of this boycott could shape how American corporations approach diversity initiatives going forward.
The coming days will reveal whether consumer pressure has a lasting impact—or if Walmart weathers the storm with its current course intact.
Boycott Targets Walmart Over Corporate Greed, DEI Rollbacks, and Trump-Era Policies
A weeklong boycott of Walmart and its affiliated businesses is currently underway, as consumers across the country protest what they describe as a combination of corporate greed, backtracking on diversity efforts, and the rollback of federal DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) programs under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Organized by The People’s Union, a grassroots advocacy group, the boycott runs from April 7 through April 14 and urges shoppers to avoid spending money at Walmart stores, Sam’s Club locations, and online platforms. It also extends to Walmart’s private-label brands, including Great Value and Equate.
This latest action follows a one-day national consumer blackout on February 28, also spearheaded by The People’s Union. Since then, the group has organized weekly boycotts targeting large corporations, including Amazon and Nestlé, with the aim of pushing back against what they view as systemic injustice and economic exploitation.
“The goal is to send a clear message to companies that continue to put profit over people,” a statement from The People’s Union reads. “Rolling back DEI programs while workers and marginalized communities continue to struggle is unacceptable.”
The boycott comes amid broader backlash against corporate America’s retreat from diversity-focused initiatives—many of which were launched in the wake of nationwide protests in 2020. Walmart, like several other major companies, has recently scaled back its internal DEI efforts, drawing criticism from civil rights groups and consumer advocates.
With growing tension between political agendas and social responsibility, The People’s Union says it will continue to organize targeted consumer actions until companies recommit to meaningful change.
Boycott Against Walmart Expands With Economic Blackout Planned Through July 4
The ongoing boycott of Walmart, organized by grassroots group The People's Union, is just the beginning of a broader campaign aimed at holding major corporations accountable for rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and contributing to growing economic inequality.
In addition to the current boycott running from April 7 through April 14, organizers have announced a three-day national economic blackout from April 18 to April 20. During that period, supporters are encouraged to refrain from all consumer spending, with an emphasis on shopping local only when absolutely necessary.
This planned blackout mirrors the group’s successful one-day consumer strike on February 28, which drew widespread attention and participation. According to The People’s Union, these consumer-based protests are scheduled to continue through July 4, building pressure on corporations and their political allies.
“This is not just a boycott. This is a message,” said John Schwartz, founder of The People’s Union, in a recent Instagram video. “We are the economy. We are reminding these corporations and the politicians they sponsor that without us, they truly are and have nothing.”
Schwartz, who initially posted the idea for the Feb. 28 boycott on social media without expecting it to go viral, has since emerged as a prominent voice calling for economic activism. Although he was unavailable for comment on Tuesday, his frequent video updates continue to energize supporters online.
The Walmart boycott also exists alongside separate actions from other activist groups targeting major retailers like Target, highlighting a growing movement among consumers to challenge corporations they view as prioritizing profits over people and stepping back from previously stated commitments to social equity.
With more organized boycotts and economic blackouts planned over the coming months, The People’s Union says it is determined to keep pressure on until companies take meaningful steps toward change.