We stand in solidarity with our communities as we work to disrupt and reform our economic system. During today’s economic blackout, we encourage everyone to embrace the principles of Just Transition and recognize the power of everyday people to drive change. 

Just Transition calls us to envision and co-create a regenerative economy that focuses on people and planet. True well-being means rethinking how we share resources and cooperate.

Deep democracy is the ground for a regenerative economy. Practicing deep democracy beyond periodic elections, through active, ongoing involvement ensures that we the people have a voice and are able to influence and affect decisions that shape our lives and our communities.

So, beyond today, we invite you to explore and share ways to consume less and buy more responsibly—whether by choosing second-hand, repurposing outdated goods, or gifting unused items to those in need.

GWI workers share their thoughts on what this day means to them:

In light of what’s unfolding in our country, I keep turning toward the question: what is solidarity? It seems to involve choosing to be affected whether or not harmful actions are directly impacting me (yet), along the lines of what affects one of us affects all of us. Because I’m not always clear about how to put insights that arise into action, today I am glad to be participating in the economic boycott in solidarity! – Susan

In a capitalist society, the only sanctioned course of action left to us is to not participate. When we buy and use again the next day, our lack of participation for a day may not disrupt the system much at all. But this is a show of solidarity and that action does mean something. – Micah

In choosing to participate in the economic boycott, I have been thinking about the Angela Davis quote, “You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time”. This is one day, but with it comes an intentional long-term commitment to change my consumption habits and to more actively participate in alternative models of resource sharing. – Mariam

Joining the Blackout seems like the smallest, easiest thing I can do, but it’s about so much more than taking a break from feeding corporate greed and oppression. This is a collective action, and by taking part I am standing in solidarity with my community and supporting all things local. – Mass

In mainstream wisdom, retail corporations rely on customers to survive and thrive. But more and more, they behave as if their actual customers are their shareholders, corporate boards, CEOs, and political allies offering deregulation of protections for land and working people. I’m curious what message they hear today. – Hélène

Today may only be one day on our long journey. But today invites us to move with intention. It invites us to be of service to our communities and to ourselves. It invites us to connect and to create differently, because if we want something different, we have to build differently. – Aja

P.S. Join us on March 14th to be connected to community members seeking change, and learn more about Just Transition, in our introductory session: Just Transition Primer