Voces de la Frontera joins national boycott planned for Friday

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A nationwide economic blackout is being planned for Friday, Feb. 28. It's a call to action in protest of big corporations that have pulled back on diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. Voces de la Frontera says it's joining the national boycott.

While this is a nationwide pledge for some, the organization says Friday's boycott will be an early observance of May Day, a day that traditionally focuses on labor issues.

The nationwide protest called "A Day Without Immigrants" started in 2006, and over the years, it has grown into a larger movement. Organizers say this year, events are being planned from now through May, starting with this Friday's boycott focused on economic power.

To show the impact of immigrant and working-class communities, they're asking people not to spend their money at anti-DEI corporations. They've called out major companies like Walmart, Target, Amazon, and McDonald's, to name a few.

"We think it's important to join this national movement," said Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director at Voces de la Frontera.

The organization is planning other events over the next few months in protest as well. One in March, focused on protesting federal cuts to programs like Medicaid and food stands. In April, the focus will be electoral power and the Wisconsin Supreme Court race.

Neumann-Ortiz says there's power in numbers and focusing on economic power is crucial. "It’s even become an international movement to boycott these companies, because as consumers, we have economic power...and that way we can also make sure we are patronizing places that support anti-discrimination polices," she said.