Gas prices have increased in the U.S. amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. But some social media users claim they've found a solution to avoid the high prices.
A Facebook post shared March 17 recycles a claim that has circulated for years telling social media users not to pump gas on April 15.
"In April 1997, there was a 'gas out' conducted nationwide in protest of high gas prices. Gasoline prices dropped 30 cents a gallon overnight," reads text in the post. "Just get your gas the day before on April 14 or the day after on April 16. Every little bit helps."
The post also claims that if everyone did not pump gas on the 15th, "it would take $2,292,000,000.00 out of the oil companies (sic) pockets for just one day."
The post generated over 200,000 shares and 5,000 interactions in less than two weeks. Similar posts have spread widely on Facebook. But the claim is false.
USA TODAY found no evidence that a "gas-out" boycott took place in April1997. Experts told USA TODAY if such a boycott were to occur, it would not lower gas prices or affect oil companies, as the post claims.
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USA TODAY reached out to the social media users who shared the claim for comment.
A one-day "gas out" boycott never took place in April 1997, Patrick De Haan, spokesperson for GasBuddy, told USA TODAY...
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