Consumers recently avoided purchases at major chains and big box stores to draw attention to economic inequalities. (Credit: Hannah Weaver)
Social media was recently flooded with posts about an economic boycott.
Activists targeted large brands, such as Walmart, Amazon, and Whole Foods, asking consumers not to spend money for 24 hours on Feb. 28 because they’re unhappy with growing financial inequality. They encouraged those who absolutely needed an item or service to support a local business. People’s Union USA is the group behind the action. According to its website, it’s not a political party, but a movement of people.
Maurice Schweitzer is a professor at Wharton who researched the effectiveness of economic boycotts. Uptown Radio producer Hannah Weaver and host Zhuoya Ma asked him: do they work?
About the author(s)
Zhuoya Ma, originally from China, is a reporter and M.S. student at Columbia Journalism School. She reports on culture and immigrants.
Hannah Weaver is a reporter and M.S. student at Columbia Journalism School, originally from Seattle.