Key Highlights
- The People’s Union USA is organizing a November boycott of Amazon, Target, Home Depot, and Kellogg’s.
- This campaign is part of the group’s ongoing efforts to pressure corporations on issues like diversity and tax policies.
- Boycott targets include Amazon for worker exploitation, consumer privacy concerns, and its business practices.
- The People’s Union USA has previously criticized Target for ending DEI initiatives and Home Depot for removing their DEI page.
The November Business Blackouts
The grassroots economic activist group, The People’s Union USA, is leading a boycott of four major corporations—Amazon, Target, Home Depot, and Kellogg’s—across the month of November. This campaign, known as “The November Business Blackouts,” aims to pressure these large companies into taking greater corporate responsibility, reinstating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and influencing U.S. economic policy.
The People’s Union USA has a long history of organizing similar business blackouts since February 2025. The group’s mission is multifaceted: to help American families cope with the “crushing burden” of income tax, prevent corporations from charging excessively high prices for goods or services, and ultimately build communities that protect against corporate corruption.
Targeted Corporations
The People’s Union USA has outlined specific reasons for boycotting each company:
- Amazon: The group accuses the e-commerce giant of exploiting workers, destroying small businesses, violating consumer privacy through extensive surveillance tools like Ring and Alexa, and contributing to a system that does not serve the people.
- Target: Recently criticized for ending several DEI initiatives. The People’s Union USA also highlights Target’s decision during its October Blackout campaign.
- Home Depot: Home improvement retailer has been targeted due to the removal of their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion page by founder John Schwarz, who claims this action was shameful.
- Kellogg’s: The group hasn’t boycotted Kellogg’s previously but recently criticized its CEO Gary Pilnick for suggesting that cereal could be a dinner option during an interview with CNBC. This comment is seen as insensitive given the rising food costs and the interpretation by some as a sign of insensitivity.
Corporate Responses
The companies have responded to these criticisms:
- Home Depot: In a statement, Home Depot maintains its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The company says that respect for all people is one of their core values.
- Target: Target CEO Brian Cornell addressed the issue in an op-ed published by Essence magazine, emphasizing the company’s continued focus on supporting small businesses, increasing access to education, and local volunteerism.
Future Implications
The boycott is scheduled for the entire month of November. The impact of such actions on consumer behavior and corporate policies remains to be seen, but this campaign highlights the growing influence that grassroots movements can have in shaping corporate strategies and public perceptions.
As more consumers become aware of these issues, businesses may find themselves under increasing pressure to address DEI and other social concerns. The People’s Union USA is clearly positioning itself as a significant voice in these discussions, with plans for similar boycotts in the future.
