Amazon Suspends Black Lives Matter From Its Charity Platform

Amazon Suspends Black Lives Matter- What Happened?

Amazon suspends Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation (BLMGNF) from its charity AmazonSmile due to ongoing questions about the group’s financial transparency.

Amazon customers can designate their nonprofits to get a portion of eligible purchases (0.5%) donated through AmazonSmile, and although plenty of local Black Lives Matters (BML) chapters are still listed as approved charities, noticeably absent is the BLMGNF- the national arm of the BLM movement- is no longer listed as an approved non-profit.

"We offer the AmazonSmile program to make it easy for our customers to support their favorite charitable organizations, and we work to offer a broad spectrum of organizations, including those working to end racial injustice," according to an Amazon spokesperson. 

"States have rules for nonprofits, and organizations participating in AmazonSmile need to meet those rules. Unfortunately this organization fell out of compliance with the rules in several states, so we’ve had to temporarily suspend them from the program until they come into compliance. 

"We hope that happens soon, and in the meantime, customers who have already selected them in AmazonSmile are able to continue supporting them, and we’ll hold any funds accrued until they’re back in compliance."

In 2020, Black Lives Matter revealed that it raised $90 million, distributed $8.4 million in operating expenses, spent $21.7 million in funding for 33 other institutions, and ended the year with a balance of $60 million. However, according to the Examiner investigation, BLM failed to report who was responsible for about $60 million bankrolls since its co-founder, Patrisse Cullors, stepped down in May 2021.

Until now, they haven’t disclosed what happened to the money. As a result, in California, where the group is founded, the state’s Department of Justice warned BLMGNF leaders earlier this month that they would be “personally responsible” for any fees and fines.

Many local BLM chapters and families of Blacks killed by police have spoken out against BLMGNF and demanded that it disburse millions of dollars to Black communities.

Amazon Suspends Black Lives Matter, which is currently the center of attention. Many posts with the hashtag “Amazon Suspends Black Lives Matter” flood on Twitter and social media. What do you think about the event?

Black Lives Matter (BLM) is a political and social movement that aims to highlight the racism, discrimination, and inequality undergone by black people. BLM activists have organized large and influential protests in cities across the United States and internationally. So, it comes as no surprise that there’s a broad selection of Black Lives Matter t-shirts on the market. Here are some notable ones.