(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A coalition of Chicago faith leaders announce a spending “blackout” to protest Trump Administration policies.
From midnight to midnight on the last day of Black History month, local pastors, ministers, rabbis and imams are urging their faith communities to not spend any money other than with locally owned businesses.
Those participating would mainly abstain from spending with corporations, chains, and online retailers that have rolled back diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
Reverend Michael Eaddy with the People’s Church of the Harvest in East Garfield Park reflected on the boycotting during the 1960s and its impact on civil rights. He says that now it’s their time.
“In 1961, 1962, that was their time, but in 2025 it's our turn. We must join as a part of a resistance,” Rev. Eaddy said.
Reverend Jesse Jackson made an appearance at the Rainbow Push Coalition HQ in Hyde Park to join the call for a blackout on Friday.
“The power is in the people, not from the top down, but from the bottom up. And so boycott means that we do not just simply vote every four years, but we vote every day when we spend our dollars,” said Reverend Marshall Hatch of the New Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in West Garfield Park.
This spending blackout, expected to be just the first of many nationwide actions, planned in the coming months.
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