Local activists who organized what became a national boycott of Minneapolis-based Target are vowing to continue the movement despite national claims of it the boycott being over.
National faith leaders officially declared the end of the year-long "Target Fast" on Wednesday, claiming victory after executives reportedly agreed to fulfill a $2 billion commitment to Black-owned businesses.
But local activists Nekima Levy Armstrong and CAIR executive director Jaylani Hussein told WCCO's Jason DeRusha on Wednesday that their indefinite boycott against Target remains in effect. And expressed shock that national leaders are claiming victory, saying they have no say in if or when their boycott would come to an end.
Hussein says the movement is as effective as ever, and now is not the time to quit.
"Target now has acknowledged that the boycott is the direct result of their slump in sales," Hussein explains. "This is a moment where for folks who have been boycotting, it is good news."
He says the retail giant has yet to fully reverse its decision to roll back DEI initiatives and that all developments now hinge on whether Target's new leadership will meet their specific demands.
Both also allege national figures have "co-opted" their movement and won't decide when it's over, and added out-of-state ministers of undermining their movement.
That comes after Reverend Jamal Bryant, a prominent American minister, author, and social activist serving as senior pastor of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia, reportedly announced a "win" for the boycott.
He did so without consulting Minnesota-based leaders, according to Armstrong. She's saying the fight isn't over until Target reverse's its decision to roll back it's DEI initiatives.
"So that's what we're dealing with here," Armstrong adds. "People who don't have any leadership authority in our community, who are trying to co-opt our work, and now who've sold out to Target by claiming the boycott is over, when it is very much still alive."
She says their attention remains on Target’s new CEO, Michael Fiddelke and how he reacts to what their demands are going forward.
The boycott came about as the Trump administration rolled back many DEI policies across the federal government, and that was followed by a number of corporations including Target.
Two local organizers of the boycott said a national group claimed victory without consulting Minnesota-based leaders
