A boycott of Monday purchases at gas stations in California was started in December of 2004 to raise awareness of immigrant rights struggles in this state. The Mexican American Political Association (MAPA) and other organizations have called for people to observe "Dark Mondays" and not purchase gasoline one day a week in an economic boycott, which targets the energy industry throughout California and in any state where the message is well received. Organizers say that because the energy industry is the most-watched industry in terms of the ups and downs of the market because of how it reflects such aspects as prices, supply, and consumption, it is a relatively simple way to ascertain the effectiveness of a boycott.

Organizers see Dark Mondays as just a first step in organization- and consiousness- building within Latino and immigrant communities and the general population about the contributions made by immigrants. Organizers intend for the boycott to last through all of 2005, until the state of California becomes a hospitable state to immigrants and permits driver's licenses to persons irrespective of their immigration status.
Read more | Discussion on Indybay about an economic protest against gas prices in 2004.