The People's Union USA Calls for Week-Long Halt on Spending at Golden Arches
Christian Saclao
Sun, June 22, 2025
McDonald's crew members | ©Image Credit: McDonald's
Starting June 24, McDonald’s will find itself in the crosshairs of a nationwide boycott as The People’s Union USA calls on Americans to stop spending at the fast-food giant for an entire week. The protest, part of a broader “Economic Blackout” campaign, aims to spotlight the company’s alleged role in keeping wages low, avoiding taxes, and lobbying against federal pay increases. Supporters say the action—running through June 30—is more than symbolic: it’s a direct challenge to corporate power and a push for fairer treatment of workers across the country.
Why McDonald’s Is Facing a Boycott
The year 2025 has been a turbulent one for corporate giants, witnessing a wave of boycotts targeting some of America’s most recognizable brands. These actions have largely been fueled by a public outcry against companies perceived to be backtracking on their diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments, alongside broader discontent over practices such as tax avoidance and inadequate worker compensation. Among the companies in the spotlight is McDonald’s, which has faced criticism on multiple fronts, including an ongoing boycott initiated in late 2023 by the pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement over the company’s alleged ties to Israeli military operations in Gaza.
More recently, the fast-food giant has also become a focus of The People’s Union USA, a self-described “grassroots movement focused on economic resistance, corporate accountability, and real justice for the working class.” Since February, the group has organized sweeping boycotts of Amazon, Walmart, and Target, encouraging Americans to withdraw their support from large corporations during periodic “economic blackouts.” During these week-long campaigns, the group urges the public to avoid all major consumer activity—from fast food and online shopping to streaming services—and instead support local, independently owned businesses.
In a video posted to Instagram in May, group founder John Schwarz underscored the campaign’s momentum: “Economic resistance is working. Target, Walmart, and Amazon are all feeling it, talking about it. They are talking about the boycotts. They are talking about The People’s Union USA. My friends, we are fighting for these corporations to finally pay their fair share of federal income taxes to alleviate that from the American worker. We are also fighting for these companies to hold manufacturers and themselves to a reasonable profit margin cap and equality across the board.”
Despite its lower profile compared to boycotts of other retail giants, the campaign against McDonald’s is quickly gaining traction as activists continue to call for systemic corporate reform.
Boycott Rekindles Debate Over McDonald’s Position on Wage Increase
McDonald’s has remained silent regarding the recent boycott spearheaded by The People’s Union USA. However, this isn’t the first time the fast-food giant has faced pressure over wages. Years ago, the company made a significant public statement, asserting it would no longer actively oppose calls for increased minimum wages.
This shift in stance was articulated by Genna Gent, then vice president of government relations for McDonald’s, in a 2019 letter to the National Restaurant Association, later obtained by Politico. In it, Gent clearly stated: “Going forward, McDonald’s Corporation will not use our resources, including lobbyists or staff, to oppose minimum wage increases at the federal, state or local levels. Nor will we participate in the association advocacy efforts designed expressly to defeat wage increases.”
This earlier commitment stands in interesting contrast to the current reasons for The People’s Union USA’s boycott, which partly targets McDonald’s for “known lobbying against wage increases.”
People’s Union USA Unveils Next Targets in Expanding Boycott Campaign
The “economic resistance” campaign orchestrated by The People’s Union USA is far from over. Looking ahead, the group has outlined an aggressive schedule of boycotts designed to maintain pressure on major corporations throughout the summer months.
An Independence Day boycott is on the agenda, urging consumers to rethink their spending on the nation’s birthday. This will be followed by a month-long boycott in July, specifically targeting Starbucks, Amazon, and Home Depot. Not content to stop there, Schwarz has also declared that McDonald’s, Walmart, and Lowe’s will once again be subject to a collective consumer withdrawal in August.
Source: Newsweek
Why are people boycotting McDonald's this week? Here's what to know
Emily Barnes, New York Connect Team
Mon, June 23, 2025
Several boycotts against large corporations like Target, Amazon and Walmart have taken place in recent months. Now, it's McDonald's turn.
Activist group The People's Union USA, led by John Schwarz, has organized a boycott against the fast-food giant between June 24-30.
"This is about more than burgers and fries," a June 21 Instagram post about the McDonald's boycott reads. "This is a show of strength, solidarity, and people-powered change. Let them feel it. Let them hear us. Let this be just the beginning.
Here's what to know about the McDonald's boycott.
Why are people boycotting McDonald's?
Several boycotts against large corporations like Target, Amazon and Walmart have taken place in recent months and now it's McDonald's turn.
The People's Union claims McDonald's does the following, which is the group's reasoning behind boycotting the corporation, as noted in a June 19 Instagram post:
Exploit tax loopholes and don't pay their fair share
Engage in price gouging while wages stay low
Suppress workers' rights and union efforts
Support political figures who threaten democracy
Practice performative diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) with no meaningful change
Prioritize profit over people, community and truth
Although The People's Union blackouts started at a similar time as other DEI-related boycotts, Schwarz told The Arizona Republic that the actions of The People's Union USA are not directly tied to companies' DEI stances.
"The mission of The People’s Union USA is to hold corporations and corrupt systems accountable, not with violence or empty promises, but with the one thing that actually affects them, the money we spend," Schwarz said in an email to The Arizona Republic.
Are there more boycotts planned?
Yes, there are several. The People's Union recently announced these additional boycotts throughout the summer months:
July 4: Boycott of all public firework displays
July 1-31: Boycott of Starbucks, Amazon and Home Depot
Aug. 1-31: Boycott of Walmart, McDonald's and Lowe's
Emily Barnes on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: McDonald's boycott: Here's what's fueling latest corporate boycott
A McDonald's boycott starts soon. Here's why people are boycotting the restaurant
Reia Li,
Arizona Republic
Mon, June 23, 2025
Led by John Schwarz, The People's Union began organizing boycotts of specific companies in late February. Although their blackouts started at a similar time as other boycotts targeting companies that rolled back diversity, equity and inclusion programs, Schwarz told The Arizona Republic that the actions of The People's Union USA are influenced, but not caused by, companies' DEI stances.
"The mission of The People’s Union USA is to hold corporations and corrupt systems accountable, not with violence or empty promises, but with the one thing that actually affects them, the money we spend," Schwarz said via email.
Why is McDonald's being boycotted?
In a June 19 Instagram post, Schwarz laid out a series of reasons for the boycott.
"They practice performative DEI with no meaningful change. They prioritize profit over people, community, and truth," the list stated. "They exploit tax loopholes and do not pay their fair share."
McDonald's is one of over 30 companies that have rolled back DEI policies after the Supreme Court's ruling striking down affirmative action. The company dropped "aspirational representation goals," stopped external diversity surveys and changed the name of its diversity team to "Global Inclusion Team," according to a Jan. 6 memo.
In 2022, McDonald's paid $1.3 billion to settle a tax dispute in France that alleged the company had illegally diverted income to other countries.
More boycotts planned against Walmart, Amazon and more
Schwarz shared a flyer on social media that lays out a series of upcoming boycotts:
July 4: Economic blackout
July 1-31: Boycott of Starbucks, Amazon and Home Depot
August 1 -31: Boycott of Walmart, McDonald's and Lowe's
Mon, June 23, 2025
Led by John Schwarz, The People's Union began organizing boycotts of specific companies in late February. Although their blackouts started at a similar time as other boycotts targeting companies that rolled back diversity, equity and inclusion programs, Schwarz told The Arizona Republic that the actions of The People's Union USA are influenced, but not caused by, companies' DEI stances.
"The mission of The People’s Union USA is to hold corporations and corrupt systems accountable, not with violence or empty promises, but with the one thing that actually affects them, the money we spend," Schwarz said via email.
Why is McDonald's being boycotted?
In a June 19 Instagram post, Schwarz laid out a series of reasons for the boycott.
"They practice performative DEI with no meaningful change. They prioritize profit over people, community, and truth," the list stated. "They exploit tax loopholes and do not pay their fair share."
McDonald's is one of over 30 companies that have rolled back DEI policies after the Supreme Court's ruling striking down affirmative action. The company dropped "aspirational representation goals," stopped external diversity surveys and changed the name of its diversity team to "Global Inclusion Team," according to a Jan. 6 memo.
In 2022, McDonald's paid $1.3 billion to settle a tax dispute in France that alleged the company had illegally diverted income to other countries.
More boycotts planned against Walmart, Amazon and more
Schwarz shared a flyer on social media that lays out a series of upcoming boycotts:
July 4: Economic blackout
July 1-31: Boycott of Starbucks, Amazon and Home Depot
August 1 -31: Boycott of Walmart, McDonald's and Lowe's
Josh Marcus
Mon, June 23, 2025
THE INDEPENDENT
A grassroots advocacy group is calling for a week-long boycott of McDonald’s, accusing the fast food chain of price gouging, unfair labor practices, and avoiding taxes.
“This is about more than burgers and fries, this is about power,” The People’s Union USA said in a statement on Instagram. “When we unite and hit corporations in their wallets, they listen.”
The group, which has previously called for boycotts of Amazon, Nestlé, Walmart, General Mills, and Target, accused the Golden Arches of a litany of unsavory tactics.
Earlier this month, People’s Union leader John Schwarz said McDonald’s had a record of “silencing” workers and blocking union attempts, as well as seeking to “exploit global supply chains and environmental loopholes” and engaging in performative diversity initiatives while the corporation’s “political donations and lobbying often support candidates and legislation that undermine equity, labor rights, and marginalized communities.”
The calls for a boycott come at a delicate time for the fast food giant, following a string of difficulties including a fall 2024 E coli outbreak linked to its Quarter Pounders, as well as decreasing sales and a backlash to its January decision to roll back diversity programs, joining numerous companies that took similar steps with the election of Donald Trump.
A grassroots advocacy group is calling for a week-long boycott of McDonald’s, accusing the fast food chain of price gouging, unfair labor practices, and avoiding taxes.
“This is about more than burgers and fries, this is about power,” The People’s Union USA said in a statement on Instagram. “When we unite and hit corporations in their wallets, they listen.”
The group, which has previously called for boycotts of Amazon, Nestlé, Walmart, General Mills, and Target, accused the Golden Arches of a litany of unsavory tactics.
Earlier this month, People’s Union leader John Schwarz said McDonald’s had a record of “silencing” workers and blocking union attempts, as well as seeking to “exploit global supply chains and environmental loopholes” and engaging in performative diversity initiatives while the corporation’s “political donations and lobbying often support candidates and legislation that undermine equity, labor rights, and marginalized communities.”
The calls for a boycott come at a delicate time for the fast food giant, following a string of difficulties including a fall 2024 E coli outbreak linked to its Quarter Pounders, as well as decreasing sales and a backlash to its January decision to roll back diversity programs, joining numerous companies that took similar steps with the election of Donald Trump.
Weeklong boycott of McDonald’s over alleged unsavory business practices begins on June 24 (Getty Images)
The Independent has contacted McDonald’s for comment.
Last fall, Democratic senators accused McDonald’s of price gouging in a letter to its corporate leadership.
“McDonald’s own reports indicate that the company’s price increases may be outstripping inflation,” read the October message from Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bob Casey, and Ron Wyden. “As a result, McDonald’s net annual income rose by over 79% — to nearly $8.5 billion — from 2020 to 2023.”
McDonald’s has strongly denied price gouging allegations and says its individual franchisees set menu prices, with an emphasis on affordability.
Last year, fast food workers in California across various brands including McDonald’s formed a union associated with the Service Employees International Union, a major development in an industry with low union penetration.
The People’s Union USA, which began attracting significant attention earlier this year, has quickly racked up endorsements from prominent celebrities for its efforts, including author Stephen King, actor John Leguizamo, and actress Bette Middler.
Its leader, Schwarz, a father of three and meditation teacher who lives in Chicago, was sentenced to 90 days in jail for alleged exploitation related to a cafe he once reportedly owned.
In 2007, the activist was sentenced by a Connecticut judge to 90 days in jail for disseminating voyeuristic material, The New York Times reports.
Schwarz, 39 at the time of the incident in question, was accused of photographing an unconscious 18-year-old’s exposed breast and texting the image to her cell phone, per the paper.
The teen worked at the now-closed Sugar Cube Cafe, which Schwarz owned, according to state records obtained by the Times.
“This whole thing was a big scam,” Schwarz told the paper. “It’s going to be expunged. I passed my polygraph test three times. Three times. I did not take a photograph. I did not do anything inappropriate to anybody.”
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