Lego is asking its affiliates to temporarily halt advertising for toy collections depicting the White House and police stations in the wake of nationwide protests over the police custody death of George Floyd.
Trade website The Toy Book first reported that the Denmark-based company sent an email Tuesday to some online companies that sell Lego sets to stop marketing a selection of products.
“In light of recent events, Lego has requested the below products to be removed from sites and any marketing ASAP,” the email read.
Among the list of more than 30 Lego products included any that depicted police officers, firefighters, a doughnut shop and the White House.
“We would like to clarify that we have not removed any sets from sale,” a spokesperson told CNBC. “The misunderstanding is the result of an email that was sent on our behalf to members of our affiliate marketing programme. The intent of the email was to ask that they pause promoting and marketing a selection of Lego products on their sites. We paused all marketing across our own social channels earlier this week in response to the tragic events in the U.S.”
“There is no place for racism in our society,” the spokesperson added. “Our mission is to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow, and that includes inspiring them to be tolerant, inclusive and kind.”
Lego announced on Twitter Wednesday that it would donate $4 million to “organizations dedicated to supporting black children and educating all children about racial equality.”
— LEGO (@LEGO_Group) June 3, 2020
