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Washington, DC — Government watchdog Accountable.US released a new analysis spotlighting major corporations that made public statements commemorating Black History Month this week after contributing at least $459,000 to U.S. senators that blocked two major federal voting rights bills, the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would help the very communities these companies claim to celebrate. Accountable.US challenged these companies, including Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Verizon, to explain how their public platitudes supporting Black Americans squares with their hypocritical donations to politicians unapologetically standing in the way of historic efforts to protect the freedom to vote for people of color. 

 

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Yet again, major corporations are insulting the intelligence of their consumers, shareholders, and employees with more empty words of support for Black communities – words that contradict their actions by rewarding the very lawmakers determined to silence voters of color. A true ally in the fight for voting rights and racial equality would not quietly embrace super-spreaders of the Big Lie and voter suppression schemes designed to deny Black Americans the freedom to vote. CEOs that pay lip service to protecting voting rights are right that it’s good for business, but wrong if they think they can play fast and loose with their corporate values without consumers catching on. Corporations can either stand by their commitments to equality or chase after political influence in spite of them – they can’t do both.” 

Kyle Herrig, president of Accountable.US

KEY POINTS FROM THE REPORT:

  • Verizon commemorated Black History Month, but in 2021 donated $126,000 to senators who blocked federal voting rights legislation. 
     
  • Meta commemorated Black History Month, but in 2021 donated $27,500 to senators who blocked federal voting rights legislation. 
     
  • Dell Technologies commemorated Black History Month, but in 2021 donated $41,000 to senators who blocked federal voting rights legislation.
      
  • Microsoft Corporation commemorated Black History Month, but in 2021 donated $135,000 to senators who blocked federal voting rights legislation.
     
  • Google commemorated Black History Month, but in 2021 donated $99,500 to senators who blocked federal voting rights legislation. 
     
  • Amazon commemorated Black History Month, but in 2021 donated $30,000 to senators who blocked federal voting rights legislation.

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