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A nationwide boycott is set for November 25 to December 2, with organizers urging Americans to "shut down" the economy by avoiding work and spending.
The protest, organized by Blackout The System, seeks to highlight economic inequality, government dysfunction, and corporate influence in politics during the busy Thanksgiving shopping period, including Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
“Day one, no work. No shopping. We vanish from their system,” a promotional video on Instagram declares. “We are the economy. Without us, nothing moves.”
Organizers say the blackout is a peaceful, strategic withdrawal of labor and consumer spending to demonstrate “that real power belongs to the people.” Those unable to take the full week off are encouraged to participate through “working strikes,” such as working to rule, slowing down productivity, or abstaining from discretionary purchases.
The protest comes amid the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has already disrupted key programs like SNAP food assistance.
Blackout The System launched in 2020 to promote unity across race, class, and culture, and has previously aligned with The People’s Union USA, another grassroots activist network that has urged boycotts of major corporations, including Amazon, Walmart, and Disney.
“We are shutting down the U.S. economy—strategically and peacefully—by removing our labor, our spending, our financial support,” the group said in a statement. “This is about reclaiming power and restoring justice.”
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