Several anti-Trump advocacy groups are calling for people to boycott retailers around Thanksgiving. They hope to pressure major corporations to stop supporting some of the Trump administration’s most divisive policies.
The coalition of advocacy groups is launching a boycott called “We Ain’t Buying It” on Thanksgiving and through the weekend. The coalition seeks to put economic pressure on several corporations they say funded President Donald Trump’s administration or went along with what they call “harmful” policies including rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, mass firing of federal workers, immigration raids and more.
During this critical shopping holiday, organizers are asking people to support small businesses and Black, Immigrant and “POC”-owned businesses, over the weekend instead of big retailers. Here is what to know.
Why are people boycotting?
Advocates want to put economic pressure on major retailers, demanding they stop working to uphold some of Trump’s most divisive policies including the mass firings of federal workers, corporate pressure to dismantle DEI and immigration raids.
“This movement is about more than just saying ‘no. It’s about saying ‘yes’ to businesses and organizations that respect us, invest in us, and stand with us,” according to the boycott’s website.
Which corporations does the boycott target?
The boycott is targeting Target, Home Depot and Amazon. Organizers criticized Target for rolling back its DEI initiatives and Amazon for donating $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund.
They included Home Depot in the boycott because they say it’s coordinating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement during immigration raids.
Home Depot denied allegations it is collaborating with ICE in a post on X.
“This is untrue – we aren’t coordinating with ICE. We aren’t involved in ICE activities, and we aren’t notified when they are going to happen,” said Home Depot in a post. “We’re required to follow all federal and local rules and regulations in every market where we operate.”
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Home Depot is not notified when immigration raids happen, according to PolitiFact, a fact-checking website operated by the Poynter Institute.
Where to shop during the boycott
The boycott’s organizers are asking people to pause shopping at Target, Amazon or Home Depot during Thanksgiving week.
Instead, they want people to spend their money at small, local businesses and spread the word about the boycott.
Who is leading the boycott?
Several advocacy groups are leading the boycott including Black Voters Matter, Indivisible, Working Families Party, Until Freedom and 50501. Some of these groups organized mass anti-Trump protests around the country like the No Kings Protest in June.
How long is the boycott?
The boycott will run from Thanksgiving on Nov. 27 to Cyber Monday on Dec. 1.
The Thanksgiving weekend shopping holiday, which includes Black Friday and Cyber Monday, is a crucial shopping holiday for retailers.
A major retail trade association forecast 186.9 million people are planning to shop for Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday. The group, the National Retail Federation forecasts that holiday spending is expected to surpass $1 trillion for the first time during November and December, with sales predicted to grow between 3.7% and 4.2% over 2024.
When is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday is a shopping holiday for online shopping deals on e-commerce sites. It takes place annually on the Monday after Thanksgiving. This year it will take place on Dec.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Why are people boycotting Target, Amazon this Black Friday?
Reporting by Sarah Lapidus, Arizona Republic / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
