A wave of protest is hitting one of the world’s biggest fast-food chains — and it’s got people thinking twice about their next drive-thru order. The McDonald’s DEI boycott, which started June 24, 2025, is making major headlines online. Here’s what’s going on — and why it matters to everyday people like you.
What Is the Boycott About?
Led by a grassroots group called The People’s Union USA, the McDonald’s DEI boycott is part of a larger campaign called the Economic Blackout. Protesters are asking consumers to avoid McDonald’s from June 24–30. Their key demands?
- End price hikes they claim are unfair
- Raise worker wages
- Pay a fair share of taxes
- Bring back McDonald’s original Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) commitments
Earlier this year, McDonald’s quietly rolled back its DEI goals, according to a report from USA Today. That means fewer corporate benchmarks for leadership diversity and fewer partnerships focused on equity.
What Are the Effects So Far?
The McDonald’s DEI boycott has just begun, but McDonald’s is already feeling the heat:
- The company’s Q1 2025 sales dropped, marking its worst quarterly dip since the pandemic, as noted by Barron’s.
- Activists claim the brand’s recent actions go against its earlier public promises of inclusion and fair business practices.
- While similar protests against companies like Amazon had limited effects, others — like the 2023 Target boycott — led to real financial consequences.
What Does McDonald’s Say?
McDonald’s says it’s committed to fairness and inclusion, and the changes in DEI goals are part of an internal audit in response to recent legal rulings on affirmative action. Amid the McDonald’s DEI boycott, the company also denied wrongdoing when it comes to pricing or taxes.
In a statement to media, McDonald’s emphasized:
“We believe deeply in diversity, equity, and inclusion… We’ve simply updated how we measure our impact.”
Still, the Axios coverage shows how many consumers feel those changes are a step backward.
Who’s Behind the Movement?
The boycott is being organized by John Lewis Schwarz, founder of The People’s Union USA. His group says they are planning more actions like this, targeting other major corporations like Walmart, Starbucks, Lowe’s, and Home Depot in July as part of the McDonald’s DEI boycott efforts this summer.
They call this week-long protest just the start of a summer-long “Economic Blackout Tour.”
What Can You Do?
Whether or not you usually eat at McDonald’s, the McDonald’s DEI boycott shines a light on deeper issues — equity, labor, and corporate accountability. Here are some simple actions:
- Skip McDonald’s this week to stand in solidarity
- Support local food businesses instead
- Share the message on social media using hashtags like #BoycottMcDonalds #EconomicBlackout #DEI
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More From Trusted Sources:
- USA Today: DEI rollback sparks boycott
- New York Post: Why McDonald’s is facing a major boycott
- Axios: Understanding the Economic Blackout
At Everyana, We Believe:
Stories like this reflect real conversations happening right now — about fairness, inclusion, and what we expect from big companies. That’s why we’re watching this space closely.
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