MONEY AND JOBS

Here’s why some Arizonans are boycotting Amazon, Target, and Home Depot on Black Friday

Activists are urging consumers to avoid shopping at Target, Home Depot, and Amazon during Black Friday weekend. Chris Allan/Shutterstock

The “We Ain’t Buyin’ It” campaign is encouraging Arizonans to avoid shopping at Amazon, Home Depot, and Target for five days.

Some Arizonans are opting out of Black Friday chaos this year, instead choosing to boycott three major retailers during the holiday season.

A coalition of organizations—including Black Voters Matter, Indivisible, and Until Freedom—launched a new campaign called We Ain’t Buying It,’ a five-day targeted boycott against companies they say are cowing to President Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant and anti-DEI policies.

The campaign is asking consumers to avoid shopping at Target, Amazon, and Home Depot from Thursday, Nov. 27 through Monday, Dec. 1. The coalition argues these corporations are “standing silently by or aiding Trump’s decimation of our democracy,” and is encouraging consumers to shop local or buy from Black, minority, and immigrant-owned businesses, instead.

Mary Beth Furman, communications director for Stand Indivisible, Arizona’s chapter of the national Indivisible group, said the boycott gives Arizonans a chance to make their voices heard through their wallets.

“Everybody shops during this time. It is a very easy way for families to send a message.” Furman said. “It’s obviously not going to bring [them] down, but it sends a very strong message.

The boycott targets two of the busiest days in the holiday season—Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The weekend typically brings in billions of dollars of revenue for US companies, and Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales are projected to reach $80 billion this year.

Why these companies?

The boycott isn’t asking Americans to shun holiday shopping altogether. Rather, organizers are encouraging Arizonans to avoid shopping at three specific companies—Target, Amazon, and Home Depot.

Target has been targeted by activists ever since the company announced it was rolling back its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs shortly after President Trump was sworn into office. 

Home Depot has been at the center of controversy all year for its alleged cooperation with US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE raids have occurred in or around Home Depot parking lots and have led to the detention, and even death, of some immigrants.

Amazon donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration and was one of the companies that donated to President Trump’s $300 million ballroom project. 

“From the day he stepped foot into office, Donald Trump has done everything he can to tear apart the fabric of our communities and strip us of our power to help us resist his fascist agenda,” said LaTosha Brown, Co-Founder of Black Voters Matter. “Instead of fighting back and supporting the very people who put money in their pockets, corporations and retailers have bowed at Trump’s feet. But we ain’t buying it.”

How can I get involved?

Getting involved is easy—just shop elsewhere for those five days. Organizers are urging consumers to support local and small businesses, instead.

“If corporations are going to act in ways that we don’t agree with, we’re gonna let them know.” Furman said.