A Midwestern man’s call for a nationwide boycott resonates globally by saying ‘We are the economy’

USA, — A 57-year-old Midwest man’s bold call for economic disruption is catching fire across the globe. 

John Schwarz, the creator of The People’s Union USA, is encouraging Americans to participate in a 24-hour spending strike starting at midnight on Friday. This movement aims to challenge the dominance of big corporations and billionaires. The initiative has gained momentum on social media, with hundreds of people joining in, making it a powerful display of unity.

In an interview with 5 On Your Side, Schwarz, who is a husband, father, musician, and meditation teacher, shared the backstory of the movement. His motivation stems from personal experiences.

Growing up in a tumultuous and financially strained environment in Queens, New York, Schwarz understands the hardships faced by many in the country. His decision to take a stand wasn’t triggered by a single moment but rather by a series of life events that have shaped his journey to this point.

He said his late grandmother was an incredible human being. He remembers her home and her heart was always open to anyone. His desire to be like her has inspired him to start this grassroots effort.

Three weeks ago, Schwarz said he made the announcement for Feb. 28. 

“I honestly have no idea how it happened, because I’ve been doing this online for 10 years,” Schwarz said in awe. “It’s great though. It’s time for us to form this solidarity and common ground.”

There have been 55,000 people who have signed up for the boycott on the organization’s website and 750,000 people have visited the website in just three weeks, he said. But before that, there was a decade-long period of Schwarz branding himself on meditation and mindfulness paired with a hefty dose of kindness and compassion but it never seemed to catch on until now.  

The movement has also fundraised more than $60,000. 

“Just seeing what’s happening in the country, how nothing really is being done for the people. Again, another cycle of administration and more empty, broken promises. I kind of had enough, you know. And I just started making my videos titled ‘An American President’ just to express my ideas in that sense, like a normal, regular person, can have great ideas,” he said. 

Now he is the organizer of an economic blackout in a time in this country’s history, he said, is more divided than ever before. 

Schwarz is working to make his movement move. He said so often movements are motionless.

Schwarz said that his request is simple. 

“Don’t do anything Friday. You can stay home. Don’t spend money, and that’s it. You’re taking part in something. And the other thing is if enough people really do this,” he said. “There’s 340 million people in America. I’m not delusional. I’m pretty sure a whole lot of people are going to go shopping that day. But again, a whole lot of people aren’t.”

He is confident about the boycott because his Instagram post, which originally called for the boycott, has received 29.8 million views. Celebrities like Melissa Gilbert have also jumped on the bandwagon.

“Seeing all of these people from all over the world wanting to stand in solidarity. It’s empowering,” he said. “If I get in my car and I drive by my Walmart, and the parking lot’s a little emptier, a little quieter. That’s a good sign,” he said about Friday’s plan.

Schwarz told 5 On Your Side that he wants his three children to live in a world where they do not have to struggle the way many are struggling now. 

“We live on a planet that provides everything we’ll ever need from air, water, land, food, and we are starving and struggling. So my hope for my children, for your children, and for everyone’s children is that they can grow up in a safe world, a free world, a world that is completely equal where there is no need or desire to have things to protect us if we’re divided.”

We are the economy, Schwarz proclaimed. With nothing but a high school diploma and a background in business management, he is confident in the power of a collective voice.

“My hope is that these companies begin to realize Walmart, Amazon, all of them, that they’re starting to lose so much money that they start saying, ‘We’ll pay our fair share in taxes.’ I want these companies, these corporations, these billionaires, to be metaphorically speaking, brought to their knees,” he said. 

He believes there is a tax plan that benefits the working family and he wants people to put aside their differences to obtain a plan that helps all. Schwarz said the American people are being manipulated and distracted with division.

“We have to put aside our differences, because if we don’t, if we keep fighting over what others have or the color of our skin, or what somebody’s calling themselves, what they’re wearing. Then we’re just never going to get anywhere. And it’s always going to be like this, and it’s going to get worse.”

Schwarz added we won’t have a future if we keep living in the past. 

The boycott is only the beginning of a string of economic disruptions on the horizon for Schwarz and his Union members. He has outlined a host of other boycotts naming Amazon, Nestle, General Mills, Target, Walmart, and McDonald’s.

“This is just the beginning,” Schwarz said. If you must buy then he urges people to buy from local small businesses. 

As the date approaches, one thing is clear: The Union’s message is resonating and the world is listening.