Organized by The People’s Union USA, the boycott targets corporate practices including tax avoidance, worker treatment, and diversity rollbacks.
Why Sparked the Boycott?
The protest against McDonald’s is rooted in growing frustration with a range of corporate behaviors. According to the group’s founder, John Schwarz, McDonald’s has prioritized profits over people—engaging in:
- Tax avoidance through offshore loopholes
- Price gouging despite stagnating wages
- Inadequate labor conditions and anti-union efforts
- Performative diversity and inclusion campaigns with no follow-through
- Support for political figures seen as harmful to democracy
These grievances were emphasized in a social media post from The People’s Union USA, which urged consumers to boycott not only McDonald’s but also similar major corporations.
When Is McDonald’s Being Boycotted?
Fast-food giant McDonald’s is under the spotlight as it faces a week-long consumer boycott from June 24 to June 30, led by activist group The People’s Union USA. The campaign, part of the group’s larger Economic Blackout Tour, is aimed at holding corporations accountable for tax evasion, exploitative labor practices, and weakening diversity programs.
‘This is about more than burgers and fries’: Boycott of McDonald’s to begin this week https://t.co/0MOHtPGgcr pic.twitter.com/zPhNzVGgLr
— The Independent (@Independent) June 24, 2025
The People’s Union USA has called for this boycott to send a powerful message to corporations that “economic resistance” is a tool for securing real justice for working-class Americans.
The DEI Controversy: A Turning Point
A key flashpoint came earlier this year when McDonald’s reportedly pulled back from setting measurable goals for increasing diversity in its leadership ranks. The company also scaled down its supplier diversity initiatives, drawing criticism from civil rights groups and labor activists.
These moves were seen by many as part of a broader rollback of corporate diversity commitments following Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025. Under his administration, pressure has mounted on U.S. companies to retreat from progressive DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) programs.
While McDonald’s U.S. Chief People Officer, Jordann Nunn, stated that the company’s programs were merely being “updated,” critics have dismissed these changes as superficial.
“These are symbolic gestures, not structural reforms,” Schwarz said. “McDonald’s DEI campaigns are nothing more than marketing stunts.”
Who Is Behind the Boycott?
The force behind the movement is The People’s Union USA, a grassroots organization dedicated to fighting for economic justice, corporate accountability, and systemic change.
Since launching its Economic Blackout Tour in February 2025, the group has organized similar actions targeting major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target.
The current McDonald’s campaign is just one piece of a broader push to pressure corporations into adopting ethical practices. As part of its economic resistance strategy, the group also urges people to avoid shopping, streaming, online orders, and fast food chains—instead supporting small, local businesses.
Is the Boycott Working?
While McDonald’s has yet to issue an official response to the protest, early signs suggest the company is feeling the heat. Reports indicate:
- A 3.5% drop in Q1 revenue
- A 10% decline in stock prices over the past month
- Falling customer traffic across U.S. locations
Although no McDonald’s stores have closed due to the boycott, the silence from corporate leadership has fueled further speculation about the company’s strategy—or lack thereof—in addressing consumer dissatisfaction.
Analysts believe that even a short-term boycott, if timed strategically, could dent quarterly earnings and brand perception, especially in an already tough economic climate.
Corporate Pushback and Public Pressure
McDonald’s is just the latest company to find itself caught between two opposing forces:
- Conservative political pressure pushing back on DEI and labor rights
- Consumer movements demanding ethical reforms, accountability, and fair treatment of workers
Earlier this year, Target also reported a dip in consumer spending after facing backlash related to its own diversity policies. Analysts suggest that as long as corporations attempt to walk this tightrope, similar boycotts may continue.
The People’s Union’s Message to America
The group’s demands were laid out clearly in a viral Instagram post by founder Schwarz:
“McDonald’s exploits tax loopholes, raises prices while keeping wages low, stifles unionization, and supports anti-democratic figures—all while pretending to stand for diversity. We’re saying enough is enough.”
The union emphasizes that the boycott is not just about McDonald’s, but about pushing the entire corporate landscape toward meaningful change.
Will the Boycott Succeed?
While it’s too early to assess the long-term impact, the campaign is already gaining visibility. With economic anxiety still looming post-pandemic and consumer expectations shifting toward ethical business practices, McDonald’s and other corporations may soon be forced to reconsider how they operate.
This boycott marks a crucial moment in the battle between corporate power and grassroots activism.
- What: A nationwide boycott of McDonald’s from June 24–30, 2025
- Why: Protest against tax avoidance, low wages, price hikes, weakened DEI programs, and anti-union efforts
- Who: Organized by The People’s Union USA, known for economic resistance campaigns
- Impact: Revenue and stock declines, ongoing public pressure, no official corporate response yet
The McDonald’s boycott led by The People’s Union USA represents more than a week-long protest—it signals a growing consumer movement demanding transparency, justice, and ethical behavior from powerful corporations. Whether or not McDonald’s responds, the spotlight on its practices has already sparked a broader conversation about accountability in corporate America.
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