Lego Stops Marketing Sets Featuring Cops, White House

In response to criticism of U.S. police departments in the wake of George Floyd’s death, Lego has decided to pull its advertising for building sets featuring police officers and the White House.

In an email sent to online retailers, the toy building block manufacturer wrote, “In light of recent events, Lego has requested the below products to be removed from sites and any marketing ASAP.” However, a Lego rep says the halt on advertising doesn’t mean the products will be pulled from stores. “We would like to clarify that we have not removed any sets from sale,” the unidentified spokesperson tells CNBC. “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.”

The move comes one day after Lego pledged to donate $4 million to educating children on racial equality. “We stand with the black community against racism and inequality,” the company tweeted on Wednesday. “There is much to do. We will donate $4 million to organizations dedicated to supporting black children and educating all children about racial equality.”

At one time, a large number of kids used to want to become police officers when they grew up — but is that still true today? Is Lego’s move from the heart, or is it a publicity stunt?