LEGO Stops Marketing Police, Firefighters and White House Toys Citing 'Recent Events'

Brittany M. Hughes | June 4, 2020
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LEGO has announced they will no longer be marketing their popular “police-themed” toys following days of national unrest sparked by the death of a Minneapolis black man at the hands of a white police officer.

The items are still for sale, but the company is asking that distributors don’t advertise them. LEGO even requested Tuesday that sellers pull the products from their websites "in light of recent events." 

But tiny toy police officers aren't the only toys the company wants to stop marketing. According to The Toy Book, more than 30 items were on the list LEGO sent out to its marketing affiliates, including all “police officers, firefighters, criminals, emergency vehicles, and buildings.”

“Sets include the LEGO City Police Station, Fire Station, Police Dog Unit, Patrol Car, Fire Plane, Mobile Command Center, Police Highway Arrest, and many more,” The Toy Book added. “Even the LEGO City Donut Shop Opening set — which includes Police Officer ‘Duke DeTain’ and ‘Crook’ Minifigures — roleplay items including a Police Handcuffs & Badge Set, and the adult builder LEGO Creator version of The White House made the removal list.”

 

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LEGO said the decision came as part of #BlackOutTuesday, a social media campaign that claims to be raising awareness of police brutality against black Americans.

“We requested that our affiliate partners refrain from posting promotional LEGO content as part of our decision to respect #BlackOutTuesday and pause posting content on our social media channels in response to the tragic events in the US. We regret any misunderstanding and will ensure that we are clearer about our intentions in the future.”

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