Week-Long McDonald Boycott Sparks Controversy
A major McDonald boycott is set to begin on June 24, led by the grassroots advocacy group The People’s Union USA. The movement accuses the fast food giant of unethical business practices, price gouging, and exploiting tax loopholes — claims that come amid mounting criticism over McDonald’s corporate policies.
“This is about more than burgers and fries, this is about power,” The People’s Union USA wrote in a social media post announcing the boycott. “When we unite and hit corporations in their wallets, they listen.” The statement clearly sets the tone for what is shaping up to be a significant moment of consumer resistance.
Why the Boycott?
Organisers claim McDonald’s has routinely undermined workers’ rights, blocked unionisation efforts, exploited environmental loopholes, and practised performative diversity without meaningful change. The People’s Union also condemned McDonald’s political donations and lobbying activities, which they argue contradict its public commitments to equity and social responsibility.
John Schwarz, the group’s leader, didn’t mince words. “They prioritise profit over people, community, and truth,” Schwarz said in a June 19 Instagram post. “They exploit tax loopholes and do not pay their fair share.”
June 24 marks the start of a week-long boycott of McDonald’s due to alleged unethical business practices (Getty Images).
The call for a McDonald boycott comes just months after the corporation rolled back key diversity and inclusion (DEI) policies. According to a January memo, McDonald’s dropped its “aspirational representation goals,” renamed its diversity department to “Global Inclusion Team,” and ceased participation in external DEI assessments — moves widely seen as steps backward.
Mounting Legal and Political Pressure
This boycott doesn’t exist in isolation. In October, Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bob Casey, and Ron Wyden wrote to McDonald’s corporate leadership, accusing the chain of price gouging. “McDonald’s own reports indicate that the company’s price increases may be outstripping inflation,” they wrote. From 2020 to 2023, the company’s net income rose by over 79%, reaching nearly $8.5 billion.
In response, McDonald’s denied the allegations, stating that pricing is set by individual franchisees and that affordability remains a core value. However, that hasn’t stopped the criticism from intensifying.
In France, McDonald’s paid $1.3 billion in 2022 to settle a tax dispute after authorities alleged the company had diverted income to other countries illegally. This historical case adds weight to current accusations that the fast food giant uses tax loopholes to avoid paying fair contributions.
The Face Behind the Movement
John Schwarz, who leads The People’s Union USA, is a meditation teacher and father of three based in Chicago. Though controversial for his past — he was sentenced in 2007 to 90 days in jail for disseminating voyeuristic material — Schwarz has recently gained prominence for his anti-corporate advocacy.
He has already led or announced upcoming boycotts targeting Amazon, Nestlé, Walmart, General Mills, and Target. The movement’s GoFundMe has raised more than $125,000, and it has earned endorsements from high-profile figures such as Stephen King, John Leguizamo, and Bette Midler.
“The mission of The People’s Union USA is to hold corporations and corrupt systems accountable, not with violence or empty promises, but with the one thing that actually affects them — the money we spend,” Schwarz told The Arizona Republic.
What’s Next?
The McDonald boycott will run from June 24–30, with a broader economic blackout planned for July 4. Throughout July and August, additional actions will target other corporate giants including Starbucks, Amazon, Home Depot, Walmart, and Lowe’s.
Despite public backlash, McDonald’s appears to be holding firm. The company has not yet responded to the latest boycott but has previously emphasised its franchisee model, community initiatives, and commitment to customer affordability.
However, with growing media coverage, celebrity endorsements, and public momentum, the boycott has the potential to significantly impact not just McDonald’s image but its financial bottom line — especially if the movement continues expanding.
For now, the People’s Union USA has made its position clear: this is a stand not only against one fast food chain but against a broader system that many believe favours profit at the expense of people and the planet.
