Imagine this: You’re craving a Big Mac, but your order comes with a side of political/religious controversy. In 2023, McDonald’s faced a global firestorm after its Israeli franchise offered free meals to Israeli soldiers during this period of intense conflict. This sparked worldwide outrage, leading to boycott calls that rattled the world’s biggest burger chain.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the power consumers hold. A well-organized boycott can topple industry giants and force social change. An example is the ongoing McDonald’s & Starbucks boycott here in Malaysia. This boycott, sparked by perceived franchises’ support for Israel during the current Gaza conflict, resulted in significant drops in revenue.
Critics argue that the boycott hurts McDonald’s franchise owners and employees who have no control over corporate decisions made by any other franchises, let alone those of Israel. Although a general statement and guidelines were released by the Mufti of Federal Territory’s Office concerning the boycott efforts (Original ref.; jabatanmuftiwp twitter ref.; UPM ref.), and that McDonald’s Malaysia has donated RM 1 Million to Palestine, and that McDonald’s Malaysia headquarters have long been a tenant to one of Tabung Haji’s property, the franchises’ outlets remain scarce in customer presence. Whether or not the boycott has made the right impact remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, other Muslim-based McDonald’s franchises around the world have also pledged to donate amounts to the cause of relief for the people of Gaza. Among those franchises include Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, Türkiye, and Pakistan.
Here are some of the historical boycotts that shook industries and gave them a major blow:
The Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-56): This iconic movement, led by Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., saw Black Americans in Montgomery, Alabama, refuse to ride segregated buses. The year-long boycott crippled the city’s bus system and became a major catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement.
The Nestle Baby Milk Boycott (1977-88): Activists exposed unethical marketing practices by Nestle, who promoted formula over breastfeeding in developing countries. The global boycott tarnished Nestle’s reputation and led to changes in its marketing strategies.
The Apartheid Boycott Movement (1980s-1990s): A global movement targeted South Africa’s racist apartheid regime through boycotts of companies doing business there. The international pressure played a significant role in the dismantling of apartheid.
The Shell Burma Campaign (1990s-2000s): Environmentalists targeted Shell for its involvement in a gas pipeline project in Burma that displaced indigenous people and harmed the environment. Years of campaigning led Shell to withdraw from the project.
The Sweatshop Boycotts (1990s-Present): Consumers boycotted major clothing brands after revelations of poor working conditions and child labor in their overseas factories. The movement pressured companies to improve labor practices and increase transparency in their supply chains.
The Electronic Waste Boycott (2000s-Present): Growing awareness of the environmental impact of electronic waste disposal led to boycotts of companies with unsustainable practices. This pressure has encouraged manufacturers to develop more environmentally friendly products and take responsibility for e-waste recycling.
The Boycott of Socially Irresponsible Coffee (2000s-Present): Consumers, concerned about fair trade practices and environmental damage, began boycotting major coffee brands. This led to the rise of fair trade certifications and a focus on sustainable coffee production.
The history of boycotts is a testament to the collective strength that emerges when we choose to make a difference. Whether the target is social injustice, environmental degradation, or unethical practices, boycotts remind us that change, however gradual, is always possible.
* Written of free will. No party sponsored this post’s publication.
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