McDonald’s Faces Upcoming Boycott Led by Activist Group Calling for Corporate Accountability
A new boycott targeting McDonald’s is set to begin June 24, as part of a wider campaign urging Americans to demand more from major corporations.
The action is being organized by The People’s Union USA, a grassroots movement promoting “economic resistance” as a way to achieve corporate reform and better treatment of the working class. The group is calling on consumers to avoid McDonald’s for a full week—from June 24 to June 30—as part of its ongoing “Economic Blackout Tour.”
The group has already led similar boycotts this year against Amazon, Walmart, and Target. Newsweek has reached out to both McDonald’s and John Schwarz, founder of The People’s Union USA, for comment.
Why This Matters
2025 has seen a wave of consumer boycotts against major brands, largely in response to:
- Rollbacks of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts
- Allegations of tax evasion
- Ongoing concerns over low wages and working conditions
McDonald’s has also faced separate scrutiny from the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement since late 2023, over its perceived ties to Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
What’s Behind the Boycott
The People’s Union USA describes itself as a working-class resistance movement pushing for corporate accountability and fair labor practices. Their past boycotts have encouraged Americans to avoid large corporations and instead support small, local businesses.
While previous actions targeting Target, Amazon, and Walmart have made headlines, the upcoming McDonald’s boycott has received less attention—despite the group’s ongoing claims that these companies engage in:
- Tax avoidance
- Lobbying against wage increases
- Monopolistic business practices
The People’s Union has posted its grievances on its website, calling for reforms to tax policy and profit margins.
What Leaders Are Saying
John Schwarz, in a May video posted to Instagram, said:
“Economic resistance is working. Target, Walmart, and Amazon are paying attention. We’re fighting for corporations to pay their fair share of taxes, to reduce the burden on American workers, and to ensure fair profit margins and equity across industries.”
McDonald’s has previously addressed wage issues. In a 2019 letter from VP Genna Gent, the company stated:
“McDonald’s will not use our resources to oppose minimum wage increases at any level. We will not take part in any advocacy efforts designed to defeat wage hikes.”
What’s Next
Following the McDonald’s boycott, The People’s Union USA is planning more protests, including:
- A July-long boycott of Starbucks, Amazon, and Home Depot
- A targeted Independence Day boycott
- A second round of actions in August focused on McDonald’s, Walmart, and Lowe’s
The group says its goal is to pressure large corporations into adopting fairer labor practices and paying their fair share in taxes.
