Faith and civic leaders in St. Louis announced on Thursday that they're calling for a boycott about a dozen businesses, including Target and a grocery store chain. The group was previously involved in protests that erupted in St. Louis after former white police office Jason Stockley was acquitted of the fatal shooting of Anthony Lamar Smith in 2011.

Per NBC News, Rev. Dinah Tatman announced at the news conference that the economic boycott was strategically planned in an effort to make an impact and to make their voices heard. Tatman explained that black people are experiencing excessive force from police and harsh treatment and long sentences for minor infractions. But that's not all they're speaking up about. The group said the black community also has to deal with economic disparities, voting rights issues and political redistricting that has made it even harder for black people during election season.

"As Main Street America enjoys social and economic prosperity, our community continues to erode, causing intense strain on our family structure and resulting in high unemployment rates and wanton incarceration of our black men," Tatman said.

The organizers explained that some of the businesses they'll be boycotting have allegedly mistreated black employees and customers. According to NBC News, the group is proposing a boycott against Target Corp. – which has 18 stores in the St. Louis area – because of a legal dispute allowing it to use Rosa Parks' name and image on civil rights-themed merchandise. In a statement, Target Corp. said the lawsuit, that is now several years old, "was without merit and was dismissed."

"We work with vendors and African-American team members and guests to ensure our Black History Month products will resonate with our guests," the company said.

The civil leaders will also boycott regional grocery chain Schnucks Markets for being a major contributor to Republican candidates and the Galleria mall in the Richmond Heights suburb after more than 20 people were arrested during early protests. Schnucks Markets, which operates about 60 locations in the region, said in a news release that they were "surprised and disappointed" to be included in the boycott and they have employees and customers " from across the demographic spectrum."