Upon his inauguration, Trump issued

, an executive order ending all diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) mandates, policies, and programs in the federal government. He also released an executive order mandating contractors and companies who work with the federal government to comply with the DEIA ban. The order labelled DEIA as illegal discrimination. Non-compliance can result to frozen funds and discontinued projects. As a result, companies like Walmart, Amazon, Google and Target have started eliminating their DEIA programs.

To respond to the dissolution of DEIA initiatives in the private sector, the People’s Union is planning a 24-hour national Economic Blackout on February 28. The blackout targets specific companies like Walmart and Amazon as well as fast food chains like McDonald’s. Read more about the blackout in this February 12 article by Newsweek’s Suzanne Blake.

As blind and visually impaired and LGBTQIA+ individuals, we benefit from DEIA policies and programs that prevent discrimination, promote fair and equitable access to information and ensure that spaces are welcoming and safe for all. There is nothing wasteful or illegal about diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, but the same cannot be said about waging war on vulnerable communities including disabled, LGBTQIA+, women, and BIPOC individuals. We are extremely disappointed and enraged by the actions of companies that have rescinded their DEIA initiatives to comply with what is obviously a morally reprehensible and mean-spirited act from Trump. 

BPI encourages our members, friends, and allies to take part in the National Economic Blackout on February 28. Our money is power and taking part in the blackout will hit them where it hurts the most—their bank accounts, even just for a day.

Believe in our collective power of NO! Save DEIA; Join the blackout!

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