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In a recent turn of events, when American Police treated a black man, George Floyd brutally, and killed him, has given rise to protests. The incident has sparked an anti-racist movement throughout the U.S. over police brutality against African Americans. This has also prompted companies to take a stand in solidarity with the protestors. The "Black Lives Matter" protest has taken a global turn. Here are companies that stand with it.
1. Twitter
Social media platform Twitter turned its profile and cover photo black. It also added the hashtag, Black Lives Matter, to its main account. Further, they have turned their blue and white logo to black and white. Its diversity account, Twitter Together, also tweeted:
Racism does not adhere to social distancing.
Amid the already growing fear and uncertainty around the pandemic, this week has again brought attention to something perhaps more pervasive: the long-standing racism and injustices faced by Black and Brown people on a daily basis. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/8zKPlDnacY
— Twitter Together (@TwitterTogether) May 29, 2020
2. Netflix
In a tweet, Netflix too raised its voice in support of the protest. It said:
To be silent is to be complicit.
Black lives matter.We have a platform, and we have a duty to our Black members, employees, creators and talent to speak up.
— Netflix (@netflix) May 30, 2020
3. Facebook Inc
Instagram also decided to go black and changed its display picture from the popular pink icon to a black. To bring about a positive change and combat racism, Instagram came up with a hashtag #ShareBlackStories. The photo-sharing giant said: To continue that impact, @facebook is pledging $10 million to efforts committed to ending racial injustice. #Black Lives Matter.
Further, Instagram also started a movement asking people to come out with their stories.
View this post on Instagram
Snapchat also said:
We condemn racism. We must embrace profound change. It starts with advocating for creating more opportunity, and for living the American values of freedom, equality and justice for all.
Our CEO Evan's memo to our team: https://t.co/r57qC9yh7L
— Snapchat (@Snapchat) June 1, 2020
4. Apple
Tim Cook has a history of publicly addressing social issues. Even today, he said the company draws strength from its diversity. Further, he also said that George Floyd’s death is shocking and tragic proof that we must aim far higher than a “normal” future. And build one that lives up to the highest ideals of equality and justice. He also told his staff to listen and people to not avert their "gaze from injustice". The Apple CEO says the company will be making unspecified donations to the Equal Justice Initiative and other nonprofits.
5. Amazon
Although Amazon is facing a backlash for its poor working conditions and not-so-good response on the matter, it still posted an image on twitter. It read:
— Amazon (@amazon) May 31, 2020
6. Google
Tech giant Google, too, lent support to racial equality. Google CEO Sundar Pichai sent out a tweet saying that on the US pages of Google and YouTube, the company is standing in solidarity with the movement. ‘We stand in support of racial equality and all those who search for it,’ read the message on Google’s homepage. He tweeted:
Today on US Google & YouTube homepages we share our support for racial equality in solidarity with the Black community and in memory of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery & others who don’t have a voice. For those feeling grief, anger, sadness & fear, you are not alone. pic.twitter.com/JbPCG3wfQW
— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) May 31, 2020
7. YouTube
YouTube has committed $1 million “in support of efforts to address the social injustice,” with CEO Susan Wojcicki noting on Twitter. He also announced a donation and quoted “We stand together.” YouTube also changed the shade of its typically-red ‘play button’ logo to black on all of its social media channels as a sign of solidarity.
8. Warner Media
WarnerMedia brands, including HBO, TBS and the newly introduced HBO Max, changed their Twitter names to #BlackLivesMatter. They also quoted the black novelist James Baldwin sta“Neither love nor terror makes one blind: indifference makes one blind.”
9. Microsoft
Satya Nadella, on this account, tweeted his support to the Black Lives Matter Movement. He said, "There is no place for hate and racism in our society. Empathy and shared understanding are a start, but we must do more. I stand with the Black and African American community and we are committed to building on this work in our company and our communities."
The incident:
On May 25, Floyd was pinned down while handcuffed by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. The police officer was recorded having his knee pressed on Floyd's neck during the arrest. Further, the officer is now charged with third-degree murder of the unarmed African American man. The incident has sparked protests throughout the U.S. over police brutality against African Americans and has prompted companies to make public statements in support of the global activist group Black Lives Matter.
We'll update this post with more info on social media and tech sector responses as they come in.