George Floyd Update: Disney will donate $5M to Social Justice Groups; a16z Announces Diversity Fund
Jun 03 2020
Here are the latest headlines regarding how the protests around the killing of George Floyd are impacting the Los Angeles startup and tech communities. Sign up for our newsletter and follow dot.LA on Twitter for the latest update.
Today:
- Disney will donate $5M to Social Justice Groups
- Blck VC group launches 'We Won't Wait' campaign
- a16z VC firm launches fund to target diverse founders
- Snap stops promoting Trump's account in its Discover feature
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Disney will donate $5M to Social Justice Groups
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://dot.la/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzM2OTY2MC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzMjY2MTY2NX0._jc-luWmLRd9-UnBFZgyZJTm33I9_3T6Ssz9nZ3lkVY/image.jpg?width=980" id="7082f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c602ad745e2c03d3c0175cf24139e96f" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />ABC's TV sitcom Blackish aired two "monumental and timely episodes" this week.
<p>The Walt Disney company announced Wednesday that it will donate $5 million to nonprofit groups fighting for social justice, starting with a $2 million donation to the NAACP. </p><p>"The killing of George Floyd has forced our nation to once again confront the long history of injustice that black people in America have suffered, and it is critical that we stand together, speak out and do everything in our power to ensure that acts of racism and violence are never tolerated," said Disney chief Bob Chapek in a statement. "This $5 million pledge will continue to support the efforts of nonprofit organizations such as the NAACP that have worked tirelessly to ensure equality and justice."</p><p>In a statement, the company pointed to its previous social justice initiatives, including providing "millions of dollars in grants to help students from underrepresented groups make the dream of higher education a reality, including $2.5 million to the United Negro College Fund." Disney also noted that it matches employee donations to "eligible organizations" and that on Tuesday it re-aired two "monumental and timely episodes" of <em>Black-ish </em>on its ABC television networks before a primetime special titled "America in Pain: What Comes Next?" </p><p>In its quarterly earnings released last month, Disney reported nearly $40 billion in revenue in the six months to March 28, 2020. Net income over the same period was down 68% from the year prior, however, as most of the company's business units have been battered by the coronavirus pandemic.</p><p><em>— Sam Blake</em></p>Blck VC group launches 'We Won't Wait' campaign
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://dot.la/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzM2OTYzNy9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0OTg1NjgyOX0.Slh0ELzeW9DWblh2PyPxbOBhprxqdU6UhlN8slDMBOY/image.jpg?width=2000&coordinates=0%2C57%2C0%2C42&height=1500" id="97bd1" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="267038b66b1b79bab468b27e79b053c4" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" /><p>Venture capital has fueled billions of dollars in wealth but it has largely excluded black Americans. Only 1% of venture-funded startup founders are black and more than 80% of venture firms don't have a single black investor.</p><p>Blck VC, a group of young black investors and entrepreneurs are calling on the venture capitalist community to diversify their ranks and support the black community. Declaring Thursday, June 4th, a day of action, the group launched a campaign called "We Won't Wait." <a href="https://dot.la/blck-vc-2646151711.html" target="_blank">Read more >></a></p><p><em>— Rachel Uranga</em></p>a16z VC firm launches fund to target diverse founders
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://dot.la/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzM2OTQ0MC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MDkwMzg3MH0.dhLyHYGgwtjLRdt65OFroB4fgSdsiZTeTSSEG88d7Mw/image.png?width=980" id="a1f14" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="7a1c9842c8f468c18e05cdfc2be667a5" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />Ben and Felicia Horowitz will match up to an additional $5,000,000 total in any other donations.
<p>One of Silicon Valley's most prominent venture capital firms <a href="https://a16z.com/2020/06/03/talent-x-opportunity/" target="_blank">announced Wednesday</a> it is launching a new fund designed for entrepreneurs who have the talent, drive and ideas to build great businesses, but lack the background and resources to do so.</p><p>In a blog post, the firm says it has been working on the fund for six months. However, the timing of the news this week is fortunate for an industry with a <a href="https://pitchbook.com/news/articles/vc-firms-have-a-diversity-problem-do-they-care" target="_blank">serious diversity problem. </a><span></span></p><p>a16z plans to fund a small group of founders in the first year, then expand after that. The initial capital will come from $2.2 million in donations from partners. Ben and Felicia Horowitz will match up to an additional $5 from other donations as well. The firm will invest in exchange for equity in the business, but all returns will stay in the fund to finance future entrepreneurs, which aims to back products from underserved communities that also have an "interesting model, niche market, and/or a little traction to indicate the promise and potential."</p><p>"We're venture capitalists, not activists," the firm said in its post. "Entrepreneurship hasn't been accessible to everyone, but the fact remains that being an entrepreneur is one of the most powerful ways to own your own future, to increase mobility across time and place, to invent new ways of doing things, and to forge a new system. As we emerge from this tragic moment, let's build.</p><p><em>dot.LA co-founder and executive chairman Spencer Rascoff is a board partner at a16z.</em></p><p><em><span></span>— Ben Bergman </em></p>Snap removes Trump's account from its Discover feature
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMjY0ODQzMC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0MzYwNjI2NX0.iAteI6t1-vdRIqymUzeX5uJwPuIsRS9rqxTPuXASQBo/img.jpg?width=980" id="01215" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f65582f8f474f612c8af0ff7acd0cc3f" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />Sam Blake<p>Snap has decided to no longer feature President Donald Trump's account on its Discover platform, where users can watch curated videos. </p><p>The Santa Monica-based company issued a statement Wednesday:</p><p>"We are not currently promoting the President's content on Snapchat's Discover platform. We will not amplify voices who incite racial violence and injustice by giving them free promotion on Discover. Racial violence and injustice have no place in our society and we stand together with all who seek peace, love, equality, and justice in America."</p><p>A Snap spokesperson said the company made the decision over the weekend. On Sunday, Snap CEO Even Spiegel wrote to his employees, condemning racial injustice. <a href="https://dot.la/trump-snapchat-2646151172.html" target="_blank">Read more >></a></p><p><em>— Sam Blake</em></p>From Your Site Articles
- Blavity CEO Morgan DeBraun Calls for Action After George Floyd ... ›
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- George Floyd Protests: Scooters Used as Barricades, LA Under ... ›
- George Floyd Protests: L.A.'s Tech Community Reacts - dot.LA ›
- Santa Monica, Beverly Hills announce 1 pm curfews - dot.LA ›
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Here are the latest headlines regarding how the protests around the killing of George Floyd are impacting the Los Angeles startup and tech communities. Sign up for our newsletter and follow dot.LA on Twitter for the latest update.
Today:
- MagicLinks CEO hopes his company's actions will have ripple effects inside and out
- Scooters, just redeployed, are pulled off city streets after becoming fodder for barricades
- L.A. braces for more curfews after a day of peaceful protests
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MagicLinks CEO hopes his company's actions will have ripple effects inside and out
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://dot.la/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzM2Nzk0Mi9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTU5NjgyOTMyN30.DFfA1i-2doGwbXMwicInt312w79K9uuNQ0SKXN1swzQ/image.png?width=980" id="874b0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2f4236ef3937480017088361b34a96cf" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" /> <p>Brian Nickerson, CEO of Venice-based MagicLinks, which provides tools to online video creators to help them earn money through e-commerce, sent an open letter this week to his 25 employees and the 20,000-odd creators and brands in his company's ecosystem."</p><p> "Dear MagicLinks Community," the <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/open-letter-magiclinks-community-black-lives-matter-brian-nickerson/" target="_blank">letter</a> began. "Black. Lives. Matter. Our collective way of being, of relating, needs to change. Now." </p><p> "To move from words to action," as Nickerson put it to dot.LA, MagicLinks will also be donating cash to the NAACP, the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) and the People's City Council. The company is also matching employee donations and giving paid time-off to those who feel they need it, for whatever reason. </p><p> "But it's more than the moment," Nickerson said. "How do we systematically change this?" </p><p> Nickerson wants the actions that MagicLinks has already taken to galvanize further action. One plan his company has is to put together a panel of black and minority creators to raise awareness of systemic biases among brands in casting and promotional decisions. </p><p> Nickerson was deliberate in composing the letter and deciding which initial actions to take. </p><p> "It starts with listening and trying to empathize as best we can and understanding the fears of the people who are most directly impacted by this," he said. To that end, Nickerson and his team sought to create a safe space for MagicLinks' black employees to share how the current unrest and its precursors make them feel. One employee spoke of having a relative on the East Coast who was recently jailed, but no one in her family knew where. Another described having to occasionally fear for his life, and the nightmare that his absence would bring upon his mother. </p><p> Nickerson, who describes himself as "white, male and privileged," then sought feedback from black colleagues about what to put in his letter. In his first draft, he included a personal anecdote about learning how his grandparents had faced their own form of racism. But after consulting with his advisory team, that wasn't the right message. </p><p> "This isn't about my experience right now," Nickerson reflected. "It's sitting with the scourge of racism that's been in our country since its founding and just sitting with that and knowing that it exists and asking what we can do to change it." </p><p> In his letter Nickerson invokes a Hawaiian prayer, which he wrote "can be used as a tool to heal the racism and prejudice within each of us." The prayer: <em>I'm sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.</em> </p><p> Response to his letter has mostly been positive, Nickerson said, with a few exceptions. Some clients and partners have threatened to cut ties. Nickerson's initial reaction was to simply write them off, but he has found power in invoking that same Hawaiian prayer in these interactions. </p><p> "Those are people that probably need to hear the message more than anyone else," he noted. </p><p> MagicLinks' actions in the wake of the ongoing unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic are the culmination of a change of heart in Nickerson.<br> </p><p> "I used to think that as a small startup, once we were successful, then we can do right," he said. "I've changed that dramatically: we have to be doing right as we're going. Even if our dollar contribution to certain causes isn't what Facebook or Google can do, it's important to instill that in the culture and DNA of a company." </p><p> Nickerson now wants to empower MagicLinks' network of creators to have more social impact, and for his letter to resonate within his team and out to the community of brands and talent. </p><p> "Small actions have ripple effects," he said. </p><p> <em>— Sam Blake </em><br> </p>Scooters, just redeployed, are pulled off city streets after becoming fodder for barricades
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbWVkaWEucmJsLm1zL2ltYWdlP3U9JTJGbWVkaWElMkZFWlBGODVTVTBBRTdFWGUuanBnJTNBbWVkaXVtJmhvPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGcGJzLnR3aW1nLmNvbSZzPTU0OSZoPTgzMDk5N2NiMGUyZWQ4MmYxZWY3Mjg5NGYzMjdkYzhlZmQ3MjliYjQ0ZWQ4NzY3YmU4OWE5NWFiYzJkYmE4NDAmc2l6ZT05ODB4JmM9MTQ0Mzc3MDk0MiIsImV4cGlyZXNfYXQiOjE2MTc0ODgxNTR9.SJJxGd9f4y8gafIOo_EJ-fZB2jBG4w0qU8JH4TbHsiM/img.jpg" id="866b2" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c2b369b066230a958c1983e8a8ad22cc" /><p> In the last two years, e-scooters have become a common sight on city sidewalks. In the last few days they have taken on a new role as tools of resistance since they are light enough to pick up but heavy enough to cause serious damage. The largest company, Bird, has been criticized in the past for a lack of diversity and for avoiding black neighborhoods. </p><p> Social media images have shown protestors using scooters to block off city streets in downtown Los Angeles and tossing them into a fire in Paris. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-twitter-extracted-i1591140861582883006="true"> Demonstrator in DTLA made a cordon blocking the road out of Bird scooters <a href="https://t.co/aV8c63SG4k">pic.twitter.com/aV8c63SG4k</a><br> — Anna Merlan (@annamerlan) <a href="https://twitter.com/annamerlan/status/1266573580885569538?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2020</a> </blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-twitter-extracted-i1591140861582883006="true"> It's really kicking off in Paris now! <a href="https://t.co/GPnWJFYlje">pic.twitter.com/GPnWJFYlje</a><br> — Jerome Roos (@JeromeRoos) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeromeRoos/status/1267909349453807616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2020</a> </blockquote><p> Companies have reacted by pulling their scooters from cities, <a href="https://mashable.com/article/electric-scooters-pulled-protests/" target="_blank">according to Mashable.</a> The timing is terrible since companies had just begun to redeploy scooters as cities eased coronavirus restrictions. </p><p> Bird's headquarters is not far from where riots broke out in Santa Monica. Employees have criticized the company for a lack of diversity, which was made worse by massive layoffs in March that disproportionately effected minorities. The company's former chief legal officer once said Bird should not put scooters in black neighborhoods like Crenshaw because people might steal them, <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/23/21231802/bird-electric-scooter-company-workplace-culture-layoffs" target="_blank">according to The Verge.</a> </p><p> The company's only statement on protests has been this tweet on Sunday: </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-twitter-extracted-i1591140861582883006="true"><a href="https://t.co/P1NG3tpQw6">pic.twitter.com/P1NG3tpQw6</a><br>— Bird (@BirdRide) <a href="https://twitter.com/BirdRide/status/1267280703361695744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>L.A. braces for more curfews after a day of peaceful protests
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzM2NzgxOC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzNzE3NTc5NH0.d2Uu_T5ont_tcN6cNHcXbx7qdelv3xwFTpwvn4xWUVA/img.jpg?width=980" id="f089a" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3d3366d0b6d9f20ed3751376153d78eb" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />Windows in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood of L.A. were boarded up Tuesday night.
<p>Thousands of people streamed along Hollywood streets that normally teem with tourists. They protested downtown at the foot of City Hall and marched in the San Fernando Valley. The signs read "No Justice No Peace," "BLM," "Stop Killing." A week of national protests over the killing of George Floyd by a Minnesota police officer continued as people of all colors poured into the streets in outrage. </p><p>Frustration over years of police brutality directed at black men and continued inequities in education, health and housing has fueled a national rage. It's also provoked some of America's top corporate players from Nordstrom to TikTok to respond in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Companies across the music industry, many whose top executive ranks are devoid of black Americans, staged a '<a href="https://dot.la/george-floyd-protests-los-angeles-2646143396.html?rebelltitem=5#rebelltitem5" target="_self">Blackout Tuesday</a>', to reflect and hold conversations about how to support the black community. Other businesses outside the music industry followed suit.</p><p>At the same time, the protests seemed to grow even larger <a href="https://abc7.com/protests-in-los-angeles-today-george-floyd-live-news/6223324/" target="_blank">after a weekend</a> that was marred by vandalism and looting, across the country as fringe groups broke into stores. <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-06-02/george-floyd-protests-los-angeles-arrests-locals" target="_blank">Thousands have been arrested</a>, the Los Angeles Times reported, as vandals ravaged some of the<a href="https://abc7.com/the-grove-los-angeles-looted-stores-nordstrom/6222114/" target="_blank"> toniest neighborhoods</a> including Santa Monica, downtown and Beverly Hills, spurring the national guard to be called in. </p><p>But on Tuesday afternoon, it appeared that peaceful protests reigned across the region as a concerned Los Angeles County and city issued curfews for 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. Wednesday. </p><p>"We are keeping the curfew in place tonight to protect everyone's safety and help our first responders keep the peace," said Mayor Eric Garcetti. </p><p>Exceptions to the curfew are in place for emergency responders, people going to and from work, and anyone traveling to and from participating in voting. There are elections in Pico Rivera and Commerce. </p><p>Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, which saw extensive damage in the previous days, set a citywide curfew from 1 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. Wednesday. Santa Monica's curfew is from 2 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday. </p><p>"We continue to grieve for the losses to our businesses and neighborhoods on Sunday, and we continue to be outraged over the death of George Floyd and the unacceptable persistence of institutional racism," said Santa Monica Mayor Kevin McKeown in a statement. "Nonetheless, on Monday we showed that we can learn from tragedy, get back up, and commit ourselves to a better city."</p><p><em>— Rachel Uranga</em></p>From Your Site Articles
- George Floyd Protests: L.A.'s Tech Community Reacts - dot.LA ›
- Santa Monica, Beverly Hills announce 1 pm curfews - dot.LA ›
- George Floyd Protests: a16z Launches Fund For Diverse Founders; Snap Drops Trump From Its Discover Feature - dot.LA ›
- Disney will donate $5M to Social Justice Groups - dot.LA ›
Related Articles Around the Web
Read more
Show less
Here are the latest headlines regarding how the protests around the killing of George Floyd are impacting the Los Angeles startup and tech communities. Sign up for our newsletter and follow dot.LA on Twitter for the latest update.
Today:
- TikTok addresses 'tough but fair questions' about treatment of black creators
- L.A. VC's react
- L.A.'s top health official: racism fuels health inequities
- L.A.'s music industry will shut down for 'Black Out Tuesday'
- Hollywood, streaming services nod to Black Lives Matter
- Snap and Twitter reportedly used by ill-intentioned protesters to organize theft
- Snap CEO talks reparations and heartbreak
- Airmap's Santa Monica headquarters destroyed by looters
- Santa Monica, Beverly Hills announce 1 pm curfews for business districts
TikTok addresses 'tough but fair questions' about opportunities for black creators on the platform
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzI4MTA2NC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxMTI4NDc0M30.F2EmQwLKpL0bqpvqRnKtfsESZGRp-fL7HNtQzPApv1I/img.jpg?width=980" id="f162f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d10c53cd90b55e4e7c6590db465caf9f" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" /><p> TikTok sent a message out to "our black community" on Monday addressing what the company called "tough but fair questions" about whether the platform allows all creators the opportunity to have their content viewed.<br> </p><p> <a href="https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/a-message-to-our-black-community" target="_blank">In a message to its black community,</a> Vanessa Pappas, TikTok's U.S. general manager and Kudzi Chikumbu, director of creator community, said "we hear you and we care about your experienced on TikTok. </p><p> "We acknowledge and apologize to our Black creators and community who have felt unsafe, unsupported, or suppressed. We don't ever want anyone to feel that way." </p><p> The company, which is owned by ByteDance, a Beijing-based internet technology company, said that on May 19 black creators and their allies changed their profile pictures and connected on the platform to speak out against how they felt marginalized on TikTok. Then, last week, "a technical glitch made it temporarily appear as if posts uploaded using #BlackLivesMatter and #GeorgeFloyd would receive 0 views." </p><p> TikTok said that the company understands that many assumed the bug to be an intentional act to suppress the black community's experiences and invalidate their emotions. It's unclear why TikTok wrote about the glitch Monday, or if had intended to do so before recent demonstrations in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death. A Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck while he pleaded for his mother and to breathe.</p><p> The company, which has its U.S. headquarters in Culver City, said it is donating $3 million in honor of black creators to nonprofits that help the black community, which has been disproportionately affected by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. TikTok also said it is committing $1 million to fighting racial injustice and inequality. </p><p> TikTok said it will standing in solidarity on Tuesday by participating in Blackout Tuesday, turning off all playlists and campaigns on its "Sounds" page to observe a moment of reflection and action. The company said it is also investing in technology. and better moderation strategies with a more user-friendly appeals process. It's also establishing a creator diversity council and developing a creator portal to expand communication and opportunities. </p><p> "We know we have work to do to regain and repair that trust," the post said. </p> <pre class="redactor-script-tag" style="display: none;" async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></pre> <pre class="redactor-script-tag" style="display: none;" async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></pre><p> <em data-redactor-tag="em">-- Tami Abdollah</em> </p>Los Angeles VC's react
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMjg0MTIxNC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYwNjg3NTAxMH0.U1VUyLAY54twd9MfdUzdAJpJJSan3OtlEXdxM_MB_1A/img.jpg?width=980" id="54091" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="94a0002556c56ffba7075464172455ad" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Women in tech " />Art by Candace Navi<p> It has been notoriously difficult for people of color to break into the insular world of venture capital, where who you know and previous success are are highly prized. <a href="https://tpinsights.com/2019/08/12/black-investment-firms-gain-ground/" target="_blank">Just 2% of investment professionals are black</a>, which in turn makes it hard for black founders to get funded. Here is a sampling of some of the reaction from the Los Angeles VC community, many of whom have offices in Santa Monica near protests and looting: </p> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><script async="" src="<a href=" https:="" platform.twitter.com="" widgets.js"="" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><a href="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js</a>" charset="utf-8"> </script><script async="" src="<a href=" https:="" platform.twitter.com="" widgets.js"="" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><a href="<a href=" <a="" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js</a>" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><a href="<a href=" https:="" platform.twitter.com="" widgets.js"="" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js</a>" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><a href="<a href=" https:="" platform.twitter.com="" widgets.js"="" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js</a>" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><a href="<a href=" https:="" platform.twitter.com="" widgets.js"="" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js</a>" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><a href="<a href=" https:="" platform.twitter.com="" widgets.js"="" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js</a>" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><a href="<a href=" https:="" platform.twitter.com="" widgets.js"="" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js</a>" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><a href="<a href=" https:="" platform.twitter.com="" widgets.js"="" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js</a>" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"> </script><p> <em>-Ben Bergman</em> </p>LA County public health director calls police violence "a public health issue"
<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="e2f358b93cf1a7b7b3b7d4f6c23fe9ac"><div class="fb-video" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=3132778153449319" data-allowfullscreen="true"></div></div><p>Los Angeles County top public health official Barbara Ferrer linked the unrest that has rocked the region to the deep health disparities that black Americans experience. Ferrer, who has been providing somber daily updates on coronavirus deaths and its spread, called police brutality a public health issue that must be addressed.<br></p><p>"It's important to comment on the connection between these two concerns the death of a black man at the hands of police and the experience of COVID-19 in L.A. County," she said in starting her briefing. "We know that black Americans fare worse than other groups on virtually every measure of health status. And it has become all too common to blame this on individual behaviors, when in fact the science is clear, the root cause of health inequities is racism and discrimination."</p><p>"Science also tells us that lifetime stress associated with experiences of daily acts of discrimination and oppression, play a major role," she said. "It starts at birth with higher rates of black infant mortality and shockingly higher rates of maternal mortality among black women and extends to adulthood, when we see black residents in L.A. County experiencing earlier onset of heart disease, hypertension and diabetes and earlier deaths."</p><p>"When I report each week that we have seen elevated numbers of black deaths in this county due to COVID-19, I am reporting on the consequences of these long standing inequities. And it's not just the direct victim of violence, the person who's beaten, or shot or asphyxiated who pays the price for brutality. It is an entire community that lives with the fear that the next time, it could be them or their son or daughter neighbor or friend. It is a consequence of that fear that we are seeing when we report instance after instance of inequality and health outcomes," she said. </p><p>"As the department responsible for public health in L.A. County and in acknowledgement of our national association, the American Public Health Association, declaring that addressing law enforcement violence is a public health issue, this rush to justice has to be part of our prescription, as well. </p><p>Los Angeles county and city declared a 6 p.m. curfew on Monday. </p><p>-<em>Rachel Uranga </em></p>L.A.'s music industry will shut down for 'Black Out Tuesday'
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://dot.la/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzM2NTIwNC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NTgxNTE3M30.8Y-F6HTO8W0CPx8s3KrT7hRwb83Z4eCk5G85GYWHktQ/image.png?width=980" id="e1efa" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="395bddc54cde2e4a77da645d5ed20d77" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" /><p> Many organizations in the music industry are pledging to close on Tuesday as part of a 'Black Out Tuesday' campaign. Participants include the three major labels: Warner Music Group, Sony Music and Universal Music Group, along with many of their associated sub-labels.<br> </p><p> The initiative started with a pop-up <a href="https://www.theshowmustbepaused.com" target="_blank">webpage</a> calling for the music industry to shut down on Tuesday, published by Jamila Thomas, a marketing executive at Atlantic Records (owned by Warner Music Group), and Brianna Agyemang, an artist campaign manager at Platoon (owned by Apple). </p><p> "It is a day to take a beat for an honest, reflective and productive conversation about what actions we need to collectively take to support the black community," the post said. "The music industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. An industry that has profited predominantly from Black art. Our mission is to hold the industry at large, including major corporations + their partners who benefit from the efforts, struggles and successes of Black people accountable… This is not just a 24-hour initiative. We are and will be in this fight for the long haul. A plan of action will be announced." </p><p> The post includes a list of links for suggested actions to take on Tuesday. </p><p> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheShowMustBePaused?src=hashtag_click&f=live" target="_blank">#TheShowMustBePaused</a> has traveled widely through the music industry's social media. Santa Monica-based Interscope (owned by Universal Music) pledged to delay releasing new music this week. </p> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><p> <span style="background-color: initial;">Other organizations have been posting messages of solidarity to their social media accounts including </span><a href="https://twitter.com/sonymusic/status/1267171054910349316/photo/1" target="_blank">Sony Music</a><span style="background-color: initial;">, </span><a href="https://twitter.com/ColumbiaRecords/status/1267164123680440320" target="_blank">Columbia Records</a><span style="background-color: initial;"> (owned by Sony), </span><a href="https://twitter.com/UMG/status/1267256132524838912" target="_blank">Universal Music</a><span style="background-color: initial;">, and </span><a href="https://twitter.com/AtlanticRecords/status/1266850797771505664" target="_blank">Atlantic Records</a><span style="background-color: initial;"> (owned by Warner).</span><br> </p><p> <a href="https://twitter.com/Spotify/status/1266727451029319682/photo/1" target="_blank">Spotify</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/AppleMusic/status/1266940744356503557/photo/1" target="_blank">Apple Music</a> have also issued brief statements on their social channels.</p><p><em>— Sam Blake</em></p>Hollywood, streaming services nod to Black Lives Matter
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://dot.la/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzM2NTIwMS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MTA3MDYxM30.xZLAH8xHQPPhubNfjhkXPzcRGQfX0YO-efKO4nvE1fs/image.png?width=980" id="5ad4b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f21dfe8e913e6389f31db1ad549c2b2f" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" /><p> Over the weekend, several streaming companies took to social media to show support for the peaceful protests. <br> </p> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><p>Some streaming platforms have changed their social media profile names and descriptions to express solidarity, including <a href="https://twitter.com/hbomax" target="_blank">HBO Max</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Quibi" target="_blank">Quibi</a>. Other organizations with similar messages on their social media pages include <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCUniversal/status/1267481089431539720/photo/1" target="_blank">NBCUniversal</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Disney/status/1267224613152571393" target="_blank">Disney</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/hulu/status/1266913549512658946" target="_blank">Hulu</a>.<br></p><p> On Sunday, various Hollywood union leaders weighed in as well.<br> </p><p> SAG-AFTRA leaders Gabrielle Carteris and David P. White issued a statement. "The murder of George Floyd is deeply emblematic of a corrosive inequality and injustice at the heart of America," it began. "It's not enough to demand change. We must recognize that racism lives in our culture and only we can change that." </p><p> WGA West President David Goodman said: "As demonstrations continue today across America, our union stands with those who peacefully protest the racist, extrajudicial murders of George Floyd and other Black people...National outrage about bigotry, discrimination, and injustice is the only way we will ever see real change." </p><p> ViacomCBS <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSLA/status/1267559820787421185" target="_blank">announced</a> on Monday that several of its networks, including Nickelodeon, BET and CBS Sports Network, would go dark for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in tribute to George Floyd and "other victims of racial violence." </p><p><em>— Sam Blake</em></p>L.A.'s gaming companies express support for BLM
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzM0NjQ0OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MzcxNzA2M30.RZmGsnE7xfT0iSt7f47FiD7YJlOWtBMPSFD8m2mPMZc/img.jpg?width=980" id="c72e6" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="078c7039c95b61c89427ab9317e2de27" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />live.staticflickr.com <p> Several Los Angeles gaming companies have weighed in to express solidarity and sympathy with social activists. </p><p> Culver City-based <a href="https://twitter.com/JamCityHQ/status/1267552773232455680/photo/1" target="_blank">Jam City</a>, a mobile game developer founded in 2010, took to social media to stand with Black Lives Matter. Santa Monica's <a href="https://twitter.com/ATVI_AB/status/1267300339104968709/photo/1" target="_blank">Activision Blizzard</a> and West LA's <a href="https://twitter.com/riotgames/status/1267143804890513408" target="_blank">Riot Games</a> also posted on social media, as has startup <a href="https://twitter.com/EsportsOneInc/status/1266933026174324736" target="_blank">Esports</a> <a href="https://dot.la/esports-one-aims-to-provide-fantasy-sports-vibe-for-competitive-gamers-2645979049.html" target="_blank">One</a>. </p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><p> Gaming and lifestyle company FaZe Clan, based in Hollywood, published an "honest message" to its fans:</p> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><p> FaZe Clan is donating all profits from a retail campaign to a Memorial Fund created in George Floyd's name. </p><p> <em>— Sam Blake</em> </p>Snap and Twitter reportedly used by ill-intentioned protesters to organize theft; Snap CEO talks reparations and heartbreak
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://dot.la/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzM2NTA5OS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYwNDk1MjE1MX0.y8y0C2M82toBgEbv4stcCfTp6jxNd7ZWRVU0lZ49yqY/image.jpg?width=980" id="823a5" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ed739aec6f94f9e685fe42972f83f784" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />Photo by Tami Abdollah
<p>Twitter has long been the social media platform of choice for people protesting an abuse of power -- during the Arab Spring uprisings it proved crucially useful as a way to get around and deal with internet blackouts.</p><p>So too has it been used this past week, by groups organizing mostly peaceful efforts to express their anger at George Floyd's death. But as Twitter has upped its efforts to counter violence on its platform, notably by placing a warning label on a tweet by President Trump for glorifying violence, those with less peaceful intentions have also taken their messages to Snapchat to urge their contacts and the broader public to engage in violence, theft and property damage.</p><p>A Snap spokesperson said the company's <a href="https://www.snap.com/en-US/community-guidelines" target="_blank">Community Guidelines</a> "prohibit content that incites or glorifies violence, hate speech and discrimination of any kind. We have in-app reporting tools that Snapchatters can use to quickly report any content that may be in violation of our guidelines to our Trust and Safety team, who then reviews the reports and takes appropriate action."</p><p><a href="https://press.snap.com/we-stand-together" target="_blank">On Sunday evening, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel sent a letter to staff</a> in which he said "we simply cannot promote accounts in America that are linked to people who incite racial violence, whether they do so on or off our platform.</p><p>"Our Discover content platform is a curated platform, where we decide what we promote. We have spoken time and again about working hard to make a positive impact, and we will walk the talk with the content we promote on Snapchat. We may continue to allow divisive people to maintain an account on Snapchat, as long as the content that is published on Snapchat is consistent with our community guidelines, but we will not promote that account or content in any way."</p><p>The self-described camera company is currently protected from financial liability for such messages by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act that that has been broadly interpreted by the courts over the years as shielding internet sites and apps from being financially liable for what user tweets, posts or generally publishes on their platforms.</p><p>Last week, <a href="https://dot.la/snap-tiktok-grindr-section-230-2646118991.html" target="_blank">Trump signed an executive order that may change all of that</a> by enabling federal regulators to punish social media companies for how they moderate content on their sites. Lawmakers and internet freedom advocates called the action illegal and improper under the First Amendment.</p><p>Such a change could have far-reaching impacts on Santa Monica-based Snap and smaller companies with an online presence that lack the budgets to moderate every single message or post on their apps.</p><p>Spiegel said he is "heartbroken and enraged by the treatment of black people and people of color in America." He called for the establishment of a diverse, nonpartisan "Commission on Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations" to investigate the criminal justice system and take action on reconciliation and reparations.</p><p><em>— Tami Abdollah</em></p>Airmap's Santa Monica headquarters destroyed by looters
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://dot.la/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzM2NTA1NC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTU5OTU2OTczMH0.EeFKcd2_eYLnddHrlUPZJcv0MZk7BEE3xnqeOet3mXk/image.jpg?width=980" id="02494" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c09777bd410d377ad598210d2c701fbf" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />Greg McNeal/Twitter
<p> Airmap's headquarters on Santa Monica boulevard near the Third Street Promenade was destroyed by looters Sunday night, according to co-founder Greg McNeal, who recounted the damage in a series of Twitter posts. The company, founded in 2015, is the world's leading airspace services platform for unmanned aircraft. </p> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><p>AirMap co-founder and chairman Ben Marcus added this on Twitter: "Last night, the AirMap office in Santa Monica was consumed by fire. Thankfully, nobody was hurt. What hurts is the unending racism & injustice in America. We all must work harder to make our union more perfect. We're all brothers and sisters. Let's treat each other with love, respect, & dignity, and create opportunity for all who choose to make a positive impact." <br></p><p><em>— Ben Bergman</em> </p><script async="" src="<a href=" https:="" platform.twitter.com="" widgets.js"="" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><a href="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js</a>" charset="utf-8"> </script>Santa Monica, Beverly Hills announce 1 pm curfews for business districts
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://dot.la/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzM2NDg5NC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxNzI3NDcyN30.oX2HPoykVnc2p7yt-G-qSQuaUpCgxJHAvjGoszbcego/image.jpg?width=980" id="ca930" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="6015a8e6f6e784527f3f74b2c3ba04f9" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" /><p>Santa Monica and Beverly Hills announced 1 p.m. curfews for their business districts on Monday, as shop owners and residents began sweeping the glass off the street and assessing the damage after a night of peaceful protests turned into fires, looting and vandalism over the death of George Floyd, who was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis. Citywide curfews will go into effect at 4 p.m. The chaos went to the heart of Silicon Beach, home to tech companies like Snap Inc and venture capitalists like Upfront Ventures, whose office overlooks the Pacific Ocean. </p><p>Long Beach issued a similar curfew. </p><p>"Sunday was one of the most distressing days in Santa Monica history," said Santa Monica Mayor Kevin McKeown in a statement. "We know better than to let the looters obscure the message of the protesters, who have indeed been heard."</p><p>Downtown L.A., Beverly Hills, Fairfax District and the Grove shopping center all got hit by looters over the weekend as police cars were set ablaze and the national guard was called in. News outlets reported that some chanted "eat the rich" as they marched along Rodeo Drive, one of the most expensive slices of commercial real estate in the region. </p><p>Floyd's death caused anguish in communities that have seen a number of black men die or be hurt by police officers who often suffer few consequences. Meanwhile, blacks and Latinos have higher arrest and incarceration rates. The deep disparity extends beyond the criminal justice system to education, housing and other areas.</p><p>And the frustration over it played out during the protests. Unlike the 1992 civil unrest after the release of Los Angeles police officers who beat Rodney King, demonstrations hit some of the wealthiest parts of the city. In 1992, looting and fires devastated South Central, further impoverishing an already economically disadvantaged area.</p><p>"Pretty wild to see the epicentre of this chaos at my office," Laurent Grill, an investor at Santa Monica based Luma Launch wrote on Twitter Sunday. "Quite a divide... on one side we had massive peaceful protests and 3 blocks away, people are looting & burning stores in my community. Makes me extremely sad." </p><p><em>— Rachel Uranga</em></p>From Your Site Articles
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