Big U.S. companies taper or abandon diversity pledges
Some of the biggest companies in the U.S. from Walmart to Meta Platforms have rolled back their diversity, equity and inclusion programs, known as DEI.
- A 40-day boycott of Target began March 5 in response to the company pulling back on its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
- An Amazon boycott is planned from March 7-14 and a Walmart spending blackout is set for April 7-13.
A 40-day Target boycott kicks off Thursday, following last week’s nationwide 24-hour economic blackout, as activists try to challenge major corporations that backtracked on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Target’s recent earnings report indicated a “decline in February net sales.” Along with consumer uncertainty, the company says tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration will yield more “profit pressure” and warns shoppers to expect price hikes on certain goods, such as fruits and vegetables.
The consumer spending pause, led by Atlanta Pastor Jamal Bryant, encourages shoppers to refrain from purchasing anything from Target during the “40-day fast” to coincide with the start of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and prayer leading up to Easter. According to the initiative’s website, the protest also asks investors to sell any Target stock they may own.
Target’s stock has taken a hit since the start of the week, despite posting strong fourth-quarter earnings that beat expectations. According to Forbes, several retailers including Walmart and Amazon, saw a slight dip in web traffic during the 24-hour Economic Blackout last week, but Target was hit hardest with a 9% drop. Meanwhile, the publication says that Costco, which stood by its DEI initiatives, experienced a boost in web traffic of 22%.
Here’s more on the boycott in Michigan:
What the 40-day Target boycott about?
Organized by megachurch pastor Jamal Bryant and other faith leaders, the 40-day spending fast/boycott is in protest of Target’s decision to pull back its DEI initiatives.
“The greatest insult comes from Target, which pledged to spend over $2 billion with Black-owned businesses by the end of 2025, only to find out that Target stopped the program at the start of the year,” the boycott’s website reads. “Black people spend over $12 million a day at Target.”
How long is the Target boycott?
The no-spend period began March 5, and will continue for 40 days to align with Lent, which ends April 17, 2025. The NAACP urged customers to instead support Black businesses, as well as businesses that maintain its DEI programs.
How many Target stores are in Michigan?
There are 54 Target stores in Michigan.
Amazon boycott begins this week, Walmart boycott in April
An Amazon boycott will take place from March 7-14 and a Walmart spending blackout will take place April 7-13.
When was the nationwide 24-hour economic blackout?
On Feb. 28, consumers participated in a national non-spending day protesting retailers — including Target — that dissolved their DEI policies. The protest was organized by John Schwarz and was adopted by The People’s Union.
Is this the first time Target is being boycotted?
No, including the economic blackout, Target was the target of a protest on Feb. 1, organized by civil rights activists in Minneapolis.
This story was updated to add a photo gallery.
