Corporations including Microsoft, Intel and Cisco have financially supported groups advocating to “defund the police” across the U.S.
Following the death of George Floyd on May 25, several corporations have donated millions of dollars to various organizations advocating to “defund the police” across the country.
Among the donors are Microsoft, Intel, Airbnb, H&M, Cisco, Degree, DoorDash, Vans Inc., Lululemon, Dropbox and the Pokémon Company International. Along with others, these companies have donated to organizations like Black Lives Matter Global Network and Color of Change who have advocated for defunding the nation’s police departments.
We know that corporations won’t change their ways unless their profits/reputation are at stake. We also know that there’s strength in numbers, & we need you with us now.
Demand corporations divest from #PoliceFoundations that help militarize the police: https://t.co/DoDCKvjJi3 pic.twitter.com/5gw7qUczNs
— ColorOfChange (@ColorOfChange) August 18, 2020
Rashad Robinson, president of Color Of Change, said in a statement: “Policing is a violent institution that must end,” and he added that “This is not a time for tweaking or tinkering – it’s time to start over.”
BLM Global Network also released a statement in May that called for the defunding of police nationwide.
The companies who have financially supported these groups have made individual donations in the hundreds of thousands. In June, Cisco announced that it would distribute a total $5 million donation among various social justice groups, including Color of Change and Black Lives Matter.
Continuing to support law enforcement is necessary for the preservation of American values and the safety of every community member across the U.S. Groups that advocate defunding the police, and those that support them, are putting those values and safety in danger.
If police departments have the support of all American citizens, they can work amicably with communities to bring about positive change and continue to keep people safe.