A massive online movement calling itself “Blackout the System” is gaining explosive traction among left-leaning voters — with millions of Democrats announcing plans to boycott both Black Friday and Cyber Monday in what activists are calling an “economic wake-up call” to corporate America.
The campaign first appeared on social media under the hashtag #BlackoutTheSystem, fueled by viral videos from community organizers and EBT advocates encouraging people to “keep their dollars out of the system” from November 25 through December 2.
In one video now viewed over 40 million times, a man known online as EBT Dude declared:
“The message is spreading fast. November 25th through December 2nd, we’re blacking out the system. We’re talking about Black Friday, Cyber Monday — we’re shutting it down. They do not get our dollar, and we’re showing these organizations, this corporation of a government, that we the people have the power.”
💥 A Protest With Purchasing Power
Supporters say the movement isn’t just about skipping shopping — it’s about sending a message to what they call “corporate greed, political corruption, and government overreach.”
Participants are urging others to buy only from small local businesses or abstain from online spending altogether during the seven-day blackout window.
“If the people stop feeding the system, the system notices,” one organizer told USA Today. “This is how ordinary citizens reclaim control — not through riots, but through receipts.”
💬 A Divisive Response
Critics on the right, however, are calling the boycott “economic nonsense,” arguing it will hurt small retailers already struggling with inflation and post-pandemic debt. Some economists suggest the impact could be symbolic rather than financial, though viral coordination could still dent major retailers’ seasonal numbers if participation surges.
Still, the online momentum shows no sign of slowing. Hashtags like #EconomicRebellion, #NoSpendWeek, and #PowerToThePeople are trending across X, TikTok, and Instagram.
📉 What’s at Stake
Black Friday and Cyber Monday traditionally generate tens of billions of dollars in sales for U.S. companies. A mass “economic blackout” — even if partial — could mark one of the largest consumer boycotts in recent memory.
As one commentator wrote:
“If voters are willing to shut down the biggest shopping week of the year to make a political point, Washington might want to start listening.”
