National Boycott Over McDonald’s DEI Policy Changes

The People’s Union USA has launched a national boycott of McDonald's from June 24 to June 30 to protest the company's rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, as well as alleged price gouging, tax avoidance, low wages, and suppression of workers' rights. Organizers contend that McDonald's recent DEI policy changes, announced in January, are merely performative and reflect a broader corporate trend of scaling back on DEI commitments. McDonald's defends its record, emphasizing its economic contributions, substantial employment, and tax payments, while calling the boycott's claims misleading. The boycott, labeled an 'economic blackout,' coincides with McDonald's experiencing its steepest U.S. sales decline since the pandemic. The protest aims to pressure McDonald's and other corporations to restore or expand DEI programs and address wider social and economic issues. The action is part of a series of economic boycotts targeting corporate practices viewed as harmful by activists.