Dear Editor,

Interested in flexing your consumer strength? Wanna let big business and corporate billionaires know you aren’t pleased with the takedown of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives? Scared for yourself and/or your immigrant neighbors under the shadow of the increased ICE presence? Feeling the pinch of higher costs for insurance, healthcare and food as taxes and tariffs affect the majority of Americans even as the wealthiest get more tax breaks?

Check out these upcoming boycotts to join efforts across America and let our collective voices be heard.

From November 25 - December 2, the Mass Blackout takes place. This boycott, initiated by Blackout the System (themassblackout.com), targets the financial inequality between the top few vs. the rest of us. From the website, “Half of Americans combined own less than 2.5% of all US household wealth while the top 10% control nearly 70%. The wealth gap hasn’t been this wide since the Gilded Age of the late 1800s, a period infamous for its extreme inequality and political corruption.”

The goal is to hit big business during the busiest and most profitable time of year (including Black Friday on Nov. 28 and Cyber Monday on Dec. 1) by not working, not shopping and not buying during the boycott.

In particular, the following businesses have supported the reduction of DEI initiatives, allowed or colluded with ICE, or financially supported Trump’s endeavors (like his new ballroom) for favors: Home Depot, Walmart, Airbnb, Door Dash, Amazon, Spotify, Apple, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Google, Comcast, and Meta.

If you must shop during this time, you are encouraged to shop retailers not caving to POTUS’s administration pressures like Costco, and small/local/minority/immigrant-owned businesses. Pay cash for your transactions.

This is a big ask, especially if you try to not work. Do what you can, take a day or two off work, avoid big businesses, instead share time with your family and let your voice be heard.

A second boycott occurring simultaneously is the We Ain’t Buying It event from November 27 - December 1. This boycott is specifically aimed at three businesses: Home Depot, because of their cooperation with ICE in capturing immigrants; Amazon, due to their financial support of the POTUS administration; and Target, for caving to attacks on DEI principles.

This boycott is supported by Black Votes Matter, Indivisible, and Until Freedom. The website (weaintbuyingit.com) states, “There are consequences for not standing up for freedom and our democracy’s central principles of fairness, justice and liberty.”

When it hits their bottom line, folks start to listen.  Participate and together we will be heard!

Ned One Million Rising resistance group

Tracy Brewer, Member

Nederland