As grocery prices continue to rise, the second term Trump Administration focuses  instead on private corporations ridding Diversity Equity and Inclusion initiatives in the workplace.  However,  several companies have pushed back, including Apple and Costco. And during these difficult times, US residents throughout the nation are deciding loyalty matters more than just cheaper prices with their local grocers.<br /><br />Just ask members of the community in Fresno California, where residents came out to support their local Costco. According to the AP, in January, more than 98 percent of the Costco shareholders rejected a proposal urging the wholesale club operator to evaluate any risks posed by its <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/diversity-equity-and-inclusion" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diversity, equity and inclusion</a>  practices.<br /><br /> In January, Trump signed an executive order aimed at <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-sex-gender-transgender-dei-order-245350b97e0c4dcc221fefc49ef44699" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">terminating DEI programs</a> within federal agencies. Conservatives have long condemned them, arguing they violate the U.S. Constitution by considering factors such as race, gender and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/corporate-equality-index-dei-backlash-lgbtq-8a7ba4bd25bedc7cf8583426d107eef3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sexual orientation</a>. The plan includes leveraging the Justice Department and other agencies to probe private companies pursuing training and hiring practices that conservative critics consider discriminatory against people who do not belong to minority groups, such as white men.  <br /><br />Meanwhile, on the mid-morning of Saturday February 22, 2025, a Show up and Shop event occurred in support of the Costco located on Shaw Ave. near the 99 freeway in Fresno; people were pleased with Costco’s decision to keep DEI initiative in place,  So they decided to use their local purchasing power.  Community leader and advisor, Landon Green, of The Freedom Group said this is just the start to this new year-long, Juneteenth community initiative.