Walmart’s DEI Cuts Spark Nationwide Protest Led by People’s Union USA
The nationwide boycott of Walmart stems from growing concerns over corporate policies and the company’s recent reduction of DEI programs. The organizers have strategically planned multiple boycotts throughout spring and summer, targeting not only Walmart but also other major corporations. Can consumer activism effectively change corporate policies at major retailers?
Boycott Aims to Challenge Corporate Practices
A nationwide boycott targeting Walmart is set for April 7, organized by advocacy group People’s Union USA in response to what they describe as “corporate greed and political corruption.” The movement gained momentum after Walmart discontinued racial equity training, stopped funding its racial equity center, and withdrew from the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index.
People’s Union USA has emphasized that their campaign transcends political divides, stating, “No matter what side of the political fence you stand on, you should be able to agree that corporate greed and political corruption are choking this country.” The group encourages consumers to support local businesses instead, with their slogan clearly stating their intent: “If you need something, look locally; if you can’t find it locally, wait. We are cutting the cord.”
Previous Boycott Impact and Retailer Resilience
Data from earlier boycotts suggests Walmart may have more resilience than other targeted retailers. A previous boycott on February 28 resulted in a 5% drop in Walmart’s web traffic, compared to a more substantial 9% drop for Target during its boycott.
Demographic analysis shows only modest declines in consumer traffic at Walmart, with the most notable being a 2.6% drop among Asian consumers. This contrasts sharply with Costco, which maintains strong DEI programs and saw a 22% increase in traffic during the same period when other retailers were experiencing boycott-related declines.
Broader Movement Against Corporate America
The April 7 action represents just one component of a larger campaign against major corporations. People’s Union USA has planned additional protests, including another Walmart boycott from May 20 to May 26, a general economic blackout on April 18, and a General Mills boycott from April 21 to April 28.
Other major corporations, including Amazon and McDonald’s, are also targeted for boycotts throughout the spring and summer. The movement has attracted support from established civil rights organizations, with Al Sharpton and the National Action Network separately advocating for the preservation of DEI programs and threatening boycotts against companies like PepsiCo if they eliminate their diversity initiatives.
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