Source: Sony PlayStation

Over the past few days, as protests have broken out across the country in response to the killing of George Floyd and the history of police brutality against the black community in the U.S., many companies have chosen to respond with statements on social media.

Below, we’ve rounded up what pop culture-focused companies — including streaming platforms, merch makers, fan conventions, and more — have chosen to say (and, in a few cases, do) in response. This is not an all-inclusive list, but we will continue adding to it as more companies post statements or take action.

STREAMING SERVICES

Netflix

Netflix posted the below statement on May 30. Then, on June 15, the streaming service announced that it will donate $5 million to organizations that create opportunities for black creators, black youth, and black-owned businesses. Netflix also curated a “Black Lives Matter” collection on its site, which includes more than 45 relevant movies and shows.

Hulu

Prime Video

Crunchyroll


ENTERTAINMENT COMPANIES

Disney

The below message was posted to the official Disney account, as well as its subsidiaries, including the official Star Wars, Pixar, and Marvel accounts. UPDATE: On June 3, Disney announced that it will donate $5 million to “support nonprofit organizations that advance social justice,” starting with a $2 million donation to the NAACP. The company is also matching any donations that its employees make.

 

HBO

The HBO and HBO Max Twitter accounts both posted the below message and changed their profile names to “#BlackLivesMatter.”

 

Warner Bros.

In addition to sharing the message below on Twitter, Warner Bros. will make the movie Just Mercy — which is based on the work of civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson and depicts the impact of systematic racism in the U.S. — free to watch for the month of June.

Funimation

ViacomCBS

The official ViacomCBS account posted a message on Twitter, as did its subsidiaries — including the official Star Trek, Nickelodeon, and CBS accounts. At 5 p.m. ET on June 1, most ViacomCBS brands and channels went dark for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. At that time, ViacomCBS channels played the video below, which focuses on the phrase “I can’t breathe” and encourages viewers to take action.

NBCUniversal

In addition to sharing the below statement on Twitter, NBCUniversal, Comcast, and Sky launched a multiyear plan to allocate $100 million to “fight injustice and inequality against any race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, or ability.” This includes $75 million in cash and $25 million in media that will be distributed over the next three years. Read the full plan here.

MGM Studios


VIDEO GAME COMPANIES

PlayStation

In addition to posting the below statement, PlayStation decided to postpone the virtual event it had scheduled for this Thursday, which would have showcased new games for the PlayStation 5 system. In a statement about postponing the event, the company wrote, “We do not feel that right now is a time for celebration and for now, we want to stand back and allow more important voices to be heard.”

Xbox

Square Enix

Square Enix, the studio behind the popular Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy games, is pledging $250,000 to support Black Lives Matter and will match employees’ donations to charities and organizations that combat racial injustice.

Nintendo of America

Nintendo posted the following statement on social media:

Call of Duty/Activision/Infinity Ward

Activision Blizzard shared a statement via Twitter on May 31. Then, on June 1, the official Call of Duty account announced that the new seasons of Modern Warfare, Warzone, and Call of Duty: Mobile — which were scheduled for June 3 — will be postponed in an effort to avoid detracting from the voices of those “speaking up for equality, justice, and change.”

Infinity Ward, the developers and creators of Call of Duty, posted the statement below with a list of actions the company plans to take to combat racist content in the game.

Epic Games/Fortnite

On June 3, Epic Games posted an update to the official Fortnite site. The company decided to push back its live event The Device until June 15 and the launch of Fortnite season 3 until June 17.

Entertainment Arts (EA)

EA posted a lengthy statement to its website that includes various pledges for action, including plans to donate $1 million to organizations such as the Equal Justice Initiative and the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, double matching any funds fans donate to these organizations through its YourCause program this month, hosting a community conversation on June 9 and a company-wide volunteer day on Juneteenth, and implementing a new paid, annual volunteer day for each EA employee. The company also postponed an event for Madden NFL 21 and its EA Play Live event.

itch.io

More than 564 creators on this indie gaming platform donated their projects to be part of “The Bundle for Racial Justice and Equality.” Until June 15, fans can get this entire bundle of 742 games (worth more than $3,400) for a minimum donation of $5. All proceeds from the bundle will be split between the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the Community Bail Fund. Click here to get the bundle and see all of the included games.


MERCH MAKERS

CultureFly

Hero Within

Funko

Sideshow Collectibles

Insight Editions

LEGO

On June 2, LEGO sent an email to its affiliate marketers, asking them to stop promoting more than 30 building sets that include representation of police officers, firefighters, criminals, emergency vehicles, and buildings. (See more details here.)

The following day, the company released the following statement on Twitter, which includes a pledge to donate $4 million to organizations that support black children and that educate all children about racial equality.


RETAILERS

Hot Topic

On Instagram, Hot Topic pledged to donate $50,000 to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and take additional steps to support the Black Lives Matter movement.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA3reHBnkbe/

Mondo

The collectibles manufacturer and retailer posted to Twitter, including information about places to donate. Mondo also posted the statement on its website homepage (with links) and completely shut down its site on June 2 for #BlackoutTuesday.

Out of Print

This literary-merch site released the following statement, recognizing that the company can and will do better with representation in its collection. Out of Print also donated all of its June 2 web sales profits to Black Lives Matter.

GameStop (Game Informer)

GameStop opted to share a statement from its Minneapolis-based gaming magazine, Game Informer.

https://twitter.com/gamestopcorp/status/1268214697578442752


BRANDS/FANDOMS

Star Wars (Lucasfilm)

The official Star Wars Twitter account and starwars.com posted a statement in support of Star Wars actor John Boyega, who made headlines for a speech he gave during a Black Lives Matter protest in Hyde Park. The statement calls Boyega “our hero” and quotes his speech.

Star Trek

Star Trek posted a video in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, which includes a scene from the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode “Far Beyond the Stars” that depicts and discusses racism.

Pokémon

The Pokémon Co. International is donating $200,000, splitting it between the NAACP and Black Lives Matter.

Magic: The Gathering

Wizards of the Coast, which publishes the popular card game Magic: The Gathering, decided to remove a number of card images from its official library that the company deemed “racist or culturally offensive.” The removed cards include “Invoke Prejudice,” “Cleanse,” “Stone-Throwing Devils,” “Pradesh Gypsies,” and “Jihad.” According to a statement from the brand, these cards will also be banned in sanctioned tournament play.


FAN EVENTS

NYCC/ECCC

Both New York Comic Con and Emerald City Comic Con shared this message on their respective social media platforms:

Record Store Day

SDCC

Comic-Con International: San Diego posted the following statement on Twitter.


COMIC BOOK PUBLISHERS AND STORES

Valiant Comics

Newbury Comics

IDW Publishing

In addition to a statement on the IDW Publishing account, which included action and donation links, IDW editor Elizabeth Brei posted the following on Twitter:


THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

Many major music labels and musicians took part in a blackout day on June 2. Created by Atlantic Records’ Jamila Thomas and Platoon’s Brianna Agyemang and called #TheShowMustBePaused, the initiative aimed to disrupt the workweek and the multi-million dollar music industry.

Warner Music Group specifically launched a $100 million fund to support charitable causes related to the music industry, social justice, and campaigns against violence and racism.

About the author

Madeleine Buckley

Madeleine Buckley

Madeleine Buckley was a Senior Editor at The Pop Insider, The Toy Insider, and The Toy Book. She covered all things toys and fandom, and has appeared on Cheddar and a variety of regional news networks to talk about the latest trends in both. She is a movie score enthusiast, mediocre knitter, proud Syracuse alumna, and Marvel lover. You can usually find her at the movies or hanging out at home with her super-pup, Parker.

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