Economic Blackout 2025

A grassroots movement is calling on Americans to abstain from shopping with major retailers on Feb. 28 as part of an "economic blackout."

What is the economic blackout?

The Feb. 28 economic blackout calls on consumers to avoid all unnecessary purchases, either in-person or online, from midnight Thursday through midnight Friday.

  • "No Amazon, No Walmart, No Best Buy," The People's Union USA website reads. "Nowhere!"
  • It further urges participants not to spend money on fast food, major retailers or gas, and to avoid using credit or debit cards to make nonessential purchases.
  • The blackout makes an exception for buying "essentials of absolutely necessary" — like medicine, food or emergency supplies — but urges consumers to make those purchases at small, local businesses.
Starts on
Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 12:00 AM MST
Ends on
Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 11:59 PM MST

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