Black Lives Matter Even in a Yellow World

I could not be more proud to be a fan of LEGO than when I saw them step up and do the right thing in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. They did not just say they support the movement, they are backing that up with a sizable donation! Way to set the bar for other companies.

We stand with the black community against racism and inequality
We stand with the black community against racism and inequality
There is much to do
There is much to do
We will donate $4 million to organizations dedicated to supporting black children and educating all children about racial equality
We will donate $4 million to organizations dedicated to supporting black children and educating all children about racial equality

This was done the day after #BlackOutTuesday which I feel was the right move as many of the blackout Tuesday posts were disrupting valuable #BlackLivesMatter communications on social media that day.

But on Tuesday (June 2nd) LEGO affiliates were told to pull all police and firemen sets from their affiliate marketing.

Below is a copy of the email sent out to affiliate marketers on the Rakuten Advertising platform.

LEGO Email pulling police and firemen sets from marketing
LEGO Email about police sets
LEGO Removes sets from marketing

In light of recent events, LEGO has requested the below products to be removed from sites and any marketing ASAP. 

SKUProduct Name
60216Downtown Fire Brigade
60246Police Station
60233Donut Shop Opening
60210Sky Police Air Base
60215Fire Station
60217Fire Plane
60245Police Monster Truck Heist
60139Mobile Command Center
60244Police Helicopter Transport
60214Burger Bar Fire Rescue
60243Police Helicopter Chase
60208Sky Police Parachute Arrest
60231Fire Chief Response Truck
60248Fire Helicopter Rescue
60242Police Highway Arrest
60207Sky Police Drone Chase
60213Dock Side Fire
40372Police MF Accessory Set
60212Barbecue Burn Out
60241Police Dog Unit
60239Police Patrol Car
60206Sky Police Jet Patrol
60270Police Brick Box
60247Forest Fire
853919City Police Vest
854018Police Handcuffs & Badge
854005Duke DeTain Key Chain
21054The White House
10902Police Station
10900Police Bike
42091Police Pursuit

While I might understand the removal of these sets from marketing in this trying time, I do hope they return to normal marketing soon. I don’t even promote these city sets myself very often, but I feel that these are important sets to have since kids learn through play these will help them know and understand that policemen and firemen are not all bad. Their services are much needed and that children and the rest of the world can still count on these first responders in their time of need.