Chicago, IL – A grassroots boycott targeting McDonald’s is gaining national attention this week as organizers call for consumers to halt all purchases from the fast-food chain through Sunday, June 30.
According to Nation’s Restaurant News, the protest is led by The People’s Union, which alleges the company is backtracking on its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments. The controversy began in January when McDonald’s announced it would “retire” its previous diversity goals and rebrand its DEI team as the Global Inclusion Team, citing potential corporate impacts from a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard.
The People’s Union argues that McDonald’s actions reflect broader corporate retreat from social responsibility. The group also criticizes the company for alleged “tax avoidance,” low wages, and what it calls a lack of corporate accountability. The boycott urges supporters to avoid not only in-store visits but also digital and app-based orders during the protest period.
In a statement shared with Nation’s Restaurant News, McDonald’s reaffirmed its commitment to inclusion, stating, “McDonald’s opens our doors to everyone… and our commitment to inclusion remains steadfast.” The company noted that it supports over 800,000 restaurant workers and spends heavily with local suppliers, contributing billions in taxes across the U.S.
The People’s Union plans to expand its efforts beyond McDonald’s. Future boycotts are planned for companies like Amazon, Home Depot, Walmart, and Starbucks, with an “economic blackout” scheduled in July.
This movement represents a counter-response to conservative efforts led by public figures such as Robby Starbuck, who advocate eliminating DEI programs in both government and private sectors. The campaign comes at a difficult time for McDonald’s, which has reported two consecutive quarters of declining sales.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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