Members of the community in Kalamazoo are coming together to organize a rally in support of an economic blackout scheduled for Friday, February 28. This event is part of a nationwide initiative aimed at drawing attention from lawmakers and President Donald Trump. Organizers are urging individuals to refrain from making any non-essential purchases on this day to send a clear message regarding pressing social issues.
One of the primary issues being protested is President Trump's recent encouragement for the private sector to dismantle illegal DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) discrimination and preferences. This directive, which targets federal agencies, has prompted major retailers such as Target, Walmart, and Lowe's to reverse their own DEI initiatives. The rally’s focus is particularly on corporations like Target, Hobby Lobby, Musk Enterprises, Amazon, and Facebook, emphasizing that these billionaires should not benefit from corporate welfare.
Michelle Zukowski-Serlin, one of the rally's organizers, expressed that the support should be directed towards individuals relying on Medicaid, funding for cancer research, and essential health care for children, including school lunches and education. Zukowski-Serlin also criticized the administration's plans to dismantle the Department of Education, which would leave significant educational policies to the states, as well as concerns regarding potential cuts to federal Medicaid funding.
“President Donald Trump is not listening to the American people; he is listening to billionaires and tech leaders,” Zukowski-Serlin stated. “We aim to communicate our discontent by using a method that resonates with him—through money.”
According to Paul Isely, an expert from Grand Valley State University (GVSU), it is crucial for protesters to hone in on their core issues to facilitate effective change. Isely noted that presenting too many messages simultaneously can dilute the impact. “When the issues are too broad, it becomes challenging for the message to be clearly understood,” he explained.
He acknowledged that while past economic blackouts have proven effective, they typically center around a singular, well-defined issue. Although a one-day boycott might not significantly harm large corporations financially, it could highlight consumer dissatisfaction. “If a company reports a 20% drop in sales on that day, it signals to them that consumers are trying to convey a message,” Isely added.
In light of the planned economic blackout, organizers encourage participants to support locally owned businesses if they must make purchases. Isely emphasized that this approach could positively impact Kalamazoo’s local economy and foster a sense of community solidarity.
The economic blackout rally is set to take place near the corner of Rose and Michigan Avenue in downtown Kalamazoo, specifically in front of the historic Kalamazoo County Courthouse, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. This gathering represents a collective effort to advocate for social change and draw attention to the needs of the community.
