People’s Union USA is an organization that supports radical-left economic-policy goals in the United States. Founded in February 2025, it organized what it called an “Economic Blackout” on February 28, 2025, under which supporters would refuse to shop with major retailers or engage in a complete one-day boycott of spending money. The organization’s founder, John Schwarz, is a meditation teacher who reportedly raised approximately $100,000 to support People’s Union USA in just over a month of operations. 1 2
Positions
People’s Union USA is organized to oppose the American economic system from a radical-left perspective. Its website claims, “For decades, corporations, politicians, and industries have worked together to rig the system against the American people. They have built an economy designed to exploit workers, suppress wages, and keep the majority of us in a constant state of struggle. These are the forces that have stolen our financial freedom, manipulated our government, and kept power in the hands of the wealthy elite.” 3
The People’s Union USA describes its activism as “unionizing the people” of the United States. The organization’s website claims it is “the first real effort to… [create] a force strong enough to counterbalance corporate control, political corruption, and economic exploitation.” 4
The People’s Union USA claims that it is not affiliated with any political party and “transcends political labels.” The organization argues that “both political parties, both past and current leaders, and billionaires have manipulated the economy and profited off the working class.” 5
People’s Union USA supports diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and considers the retraction of DEI programs in companies and governments “regressive and unacceptable.” 5
People’s Union USA supports abolishing the federal income tax and replacing it with a higher tax burden on businesses. 2
People’s Union USA supports a government-mandated cap on corporate profits. 2
Economic Blackout
As of March 2025, People’s Union USA is best known for organizing the Economic Blackout, or 24-hour boycotts of consumer activity, on February 28, 2025. It launched the event to oppose diversity, equity, and inclusion rollbacks, employer-friendly labor laws, low wages, and the alleged systematic exploitation of workers throughout the American economy. News of the first proposed blackout spread on TikTok, Instagram, and other social media platforms. 1
People’s Union USA founder John Schwarz asserts that the purpose of the economic blackouts is not to harm businesses but to send a message to them about widespread worker dissatisfaction with the current economic system. Schwarz told CBS News: “We want companies to bend the knee — we’ve been kissing the ring our entire lives. It’s time to turn that around… We’re the consumers. We are the economy. Without us, they’re nothing.” 2
The February 2025 Economic Blackout received considerable attention from the media. The New York Times claimed that the Economic Blackout has helped push other grassroots economic boycott or consumption-reduction movements in the U.S. 2 6 1
The People’s Union USA organized its first Economic Blackout on February 28, 2025. It planned two more Economic Blackouts in March and April. 1 5
Other Activities
In March 2024, the People’s Union USA listed numerous activities and protests in the following months aside from Economic Blackouts. In March, it planned boycotts of Amazon (as well as its subsidiary, Whole Foods) and Nestle; in April, it planned boycotts of Walmart and General Mills. 5 Amazon and Walmart were both targeted for halting their DEI initiatives. 1
As of March 2025, People’s Union USA intended to build a membership base, organize more economic demonstrations, and eventually lobby government legislatures. 4
Leadership
People’s Union USA was founded by John Schwarz, also known by his screenname “TheOneCalledJai,” a 57-year-old resident of Chicago. Schwarz runs his own small business, a meditation studio. 2 7
In 2007, Schwarz was sentenced to 90 days in jail and five years’ probation in Connecticut for “disseminating voyeuristic material” after he allegedly took a nude photo of an unconscious 18-year-old woman and texted it to her phone. When questioned about the incident by the New York Times, Schwarz replied, “I have nothing to hide… I was convicted in 2007 of something that never should have happened and it is completely fabricated.” 6
Financials
On the People’s Union USA’s website, the organization publishes its current cumulative donations, which as of March 4, 2025, had reached $119,919. Nearly all its funding has come through a GoFundMe page with an original goal of $100,000. The organization also raises funds by selling branded merchandise. 8 2
The website also displayed the itemized expenses of the group, including website security, trademark registration, and GoFundMe fees. 8
People’s Union USA founder John Schwarz claimed he had received no compensation for his work for the organization as of March 2025. 6
As of March 2025, there was no indication that the People’s Union USA was a formally established structure registered with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). However, its website states that one of its goals is to file as a nonprofit organization. 4
References
- Portee, Alex. “What is the ‘economic blackout’ on February 28 people are talking about – and will it work?.” Today. February 27, 2025. Accessed March 6, 2025. https://www.today.com/news/economic-blackout-february-28-rcna193872
- Marie Lee, Anne. “Who is John Schwarz, the man behind today’s Feb. 28 Economic Blackout and founder of People’s Union USA?.” CBS News. February 28, 2025. Accessed March 6, 2025. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/who-is-john-schwarz-man-behind-todays-feb-28-economic-blackout-and-founder-of-peoples-union-usa/.
- “Homepage.” People’s Union USA. Accessed March 6, 2025. https://thepeoplesunionusa.com/.
- “Unionizing The People.” People’s Union USA. Accessed March 6, 2025. https://thepeoplesunionusa.com/unionizing-the-people.
- “Frequently Asked Questions.” People’s Union USA. Accessed March 6, 2025. https://thepeoplesunionusa.com/faq.
- Malone Kircher, Madison. “The Man Behind the ‘Economic Blackout’ Served Time for a Sex-Related Offense.” The New York Times. February 28, 2025. Accessed March 6, 2025. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/28/style/john-schwarz-peoples-union-economic-blackout.html.
- “Meet the Founder.” People’s Union USA. Accessed March 6, 2025. https://thepeoplesunionusa.com/meet-the-founder.
- “Your Donations.” People’s Union USA. Accessed March 6, 2025. https://thepeoplesunionusa.com/your-donations.