Boycotts Build Up Steam: Chicago and National
By: Steven Larsen, one of our reporters from Evanston
Boycotts have begun, and StreetSense published the first piece on this topic on March 7, 2025 (https://streetsense.substack.com/p/the-boykotts-have-begun). That particular article reminded readers of the importance of not only supporting programs for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) but also supporting the rights of the unhoused and other marginalized groups.
This article repeats the national boycotts mentioned in the above piece and adds local ones, starting with those important in Little Edgewater (with street addresses listed) so that people can participate in taking back our country from those who would harass, threaten, and damage others. Treating the marginalized members of our society is a bad thing, something parents teach us not to do. It is basic, yet some people miss the message growing up.
Many corporations, and individuals, comfortable right now in their privileged and racist positions, are attacking a wide variety of “others” in our nation. Cancelling DEI programs and goals for helping the disenfranchised and oppressed in our nation is another bad thing. Again, these are things parents tell us not to do, starting when we are toddlers.
Although some of the boycotts last only one day or one week, etc., the companies are listed below so that consumers can send a message to these people on an on-going basis. Over time, the companies’ owners, board members, investors, and managers will feel the power of the boycotts… on-going protests about the way the companies’ leaders feel they can treat people.
Here’s a list of companies that have confirmed they’re shutting down their DEI commitments, or treating the homeless badly, or are known for harassing poor people:
Accenture -- Scaling back DEI initiatives.
Ace Hardware -- Scaling back DEI initiatives.
AirBnB -- Scaling back DEI initiatives.
Amazon – Quietly ending some DEI programs with little transparency.
Baskin Robbin -- Scaling back DEI initiatives.
Boeing -- Scaling back DEI initiatives.
Brown-Forman (Jack Daniels) -- Scaling back DEI initiatives.
Chipotle -- Scaling back DEI initiatives.
Coca-Cola -- Scaling back DEI initiatives.
Comcast -- Scaling back DEI initiatives.
Dairy Queen -- Scaling back DEI initiatives.
Deloitte -- Scaling back DEI initiatives.
Disney -- Scaling back DEI initiatives.
Dunkin Donuts – (6332 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660) -- Known for harassing the homeless and the poor, not wanting to honor discount coupons, other bad treatment.
Ford -- Withdrawing from corporate diversity rankings and pausing supplier diversity initiatives.
Fruit of the Loom -- Scaling back DEI initiatives.
Harley-Davidson – Reviewing partnerships and ending workplace equality rankings.
General Mills (cereal) -- Scaling back DEI initiatives.
General Motors (GM) -- Scaling back DEI initiatives.
Goldman Sachs – Dropped board of directors diversity requirements.
Google – Abandoned its goal to increase underrepresented leadership by 30%.
Harley-Davidson -- Scaling back DEI initiatives.
Home Depot -- Scaling back DEI initiatives.
John Deere – Ending sponsorships of social awareness events and removing DEI-related training.
Lowe’s – Consolidating employee resource groups and ending sponsorships for DEI-related events.
McDonald’s – Retiring diversity goals for senior leadership and supplier programs.
Meta (Facebook & Instagram) – Eliminating DEI hiring policies and dismantling internal DEI teams.
Molson Coors -- Scaling back DEI initiatives.
Nestle’ -- Scaling back DEI initiatives.
PayPal -- Scaling back DEI initiatives.
Patio Beef – (6022 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660) – Known for harassing the homeless and poor, treating them badly
PepsiCo – Ending DEI goals for managerial roles and suppliers.
Popeyes Chicken (6340 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660) -- Known for refusing to honor discount coupons (on the back of every single receipt) and harassing the homeless and poor.
Sam’s Club -- Scaling back DEI initiatives.
Starbucks -- Scaling back DEI initiatives.
Target – Shutting down its Black-focused employee program and supplier diversity efforts.
Tesla -- Scaling back DEI initiatives.
Tractor Supply – Eliminating DEI roles and withdrawing from climate and social equity initiatives.
Toyota -- Scaling back DEI initiatives.
Walgreens (6121 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660) – Known for refusing poor and homeless to use their restrooms.
Walmart – Ending its five-year racial equity commitment and LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion efforts.
Wendy’s -- Scaling back DEI initiatives.
Whole Foods – This grocery store is owned by Amazon now – and they are on the boycott list.
Many people feel that the heads of corporations currently fear Donald J. Trump so much that they are making the pre-emptive move of getting rid of DEI initiatives—and anything that might look anything like them to the ignorant so as to not anger our new president. Steering clear of his wrath is important—since he governs through reaction to perceived threats mainly.
Some feel that since Trump does not care if we are polite or “act our best” that means we can just do any rotten thing to others and get away with. Some feel that because Trump does not expect anything from Americans that they must act like racists, misogynists, and bullies. Being a bully is fun!
It is hoped the boycotts, coupled with other forms of democratic participation to take our country back—and our neighborhoods back—can be successful. With God’s guidance and blessing, we all hope to re-establish the great nation with opportunities for all persons and respects for all our brothers and sisters.
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For further reading:
“DEI Boycott List: All Companies That Ended DEI Policies, Confirmed,” by Sara Large, (provided a great deal of information for this and the first StreetSense piece on boycotts) https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/human-resources/dei-boycott-list-all-companies-that-ended-dei-policies-confirmed/ar-AA1zVTTf
“Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” Revised March 13, 2025, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity,_equity,_and_inclusion
“Do Boycotts Actually Work? Examining The Use Of Boycotts To Drive Social Change,” byJanice Gassam Asare, Forbes Leadership, https://www.forbes.com/sites/janicegassam/2023/12/22/do-boycotts-actually-work-examining-the-use-of-boycotts-to-drive-social-change/
“Latino Freeze Movement,” boycott list, https://www.latinofreeze.com/
“‘A Spiritual Act of Resistance’: Black Consumers Are Boycotting Corporations Retreating from DEI,” by Nicquel Terry Ellis and Eva McKend, February 27, 2025, CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/27/us/black-consumers-boycotts-dei-target/index.html
“The Little Known History Of DEI And Why It’s Critical To Its Survival,” by Julie Kratz, Forbes Leadership, https://www.forbes.com/sites/juliekratz/2024/12/29/history-of-dei-why-it-matters-for-the-future/
“Thousands Sign Christian Petition to Boycott 'Trump-Backing' Corporations,” by Mandy Taheri, Revised March 13, 2025, Newsweek, https://www.newsweek.com/thousands-sign-christian-petition-boycott-trump-backing-corporations-2044419
“What is DEI, What Does It Mean, and Why Are Companies Really Getting Rid of It?” by Ryan Adamczewski, Advocate, https://www.advocate.com/news/what-is-dei#rebelltitem1
“10 Reasons Why DEI Is Important For Businesses And How It’s Evolving,” Forbes Leadership, https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbescoachescouncil/2024/05/06/10-reasons-why-dei-is-important-for-businesses-and-how-its-evolving/