Several local businesses in Norman have announced they are participating in a national economic blackout on Friday.
Across social media, The People's Union USA, an activist group, encouraged people not to spend any money for 24 hours on Friday as an act of resistance against what the group’s founder John Schwarz described as the malign influence of billionaires, big corporations and political parties on the lives of working Americans.
“We are not a political party. We are not a protest. We are a movement of people,” The People’s Union USA's website reads. “Unionizing to take back control of our economy, government and future of our country.”
The union states that its mission is to expose and resist corporate greed.
“We will name these corporations, industries, and politicians. We will expose their corruption and ensure the American people know exactly who has been working against them,” the website reads.
The 24-hour economic blackout encourages consumers to not spend money with major retailers, avoid using credit or debit cards and avoid non-essential spending. The union also highlights that essential spending must be done to only support small, local businesses.
Schwarz posted about the mission of the 24-hour blackout on an Instagram Story that states, “What We Are Fighting For: 1- The End of Federal Income Tax 2 - Corporate Profit Cap 3 - Freedom and Equality.”
The Custard Factory posted on Facebook that it would be participating in the nationwide blackout.
“We will be open, but not participating in the economy. We will serve free scoops of custard in a cup or cone all day,” the post read.
Local coffee shop Yellow Dog Coffee Company also posted on social media that they would participate in the protest.
“We are a little concerned about what's going on in the federal government,” Lilly Braun, Yellow Dog operations manager, said in an interview with OU Daily.
“We heard that this economic blackout was coming up, and we were discussing how we might be able to do our part,”
Braun said that the Norman community is of utmost importance to her and Yellow Dog, which is why they chose to remain open during the blackout.
“We're really fortunate already to have a great community around us. We have just an incredible customer base, and we're so happy to be here in downtown Norman,” Braun said.
The Oklahoma Democratic Party announced its support of the movement in a Facebook post on Thursday.
“The Oklahoma Democratic Party stands in full support of the planned economic blackout initiated by The Peoples Union USA, scheduled for Friday, February 28, 2025," the post read. “We call on all Oklahomans—regardless of political affiliation—to stand together on February 28.”
OU Daily reached out the Oklahoma Republican Party for statement about the movement but did not receive response by the time of publication.
The blackout protest is set to end at midnight.
This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure and Ismael Lele. Sophie Hemker copy edited this story.
