Ron Johnson, head of consumer products at video game publisher Riot Games, has resigned after receiving criticism for posting a meme about George Floyd.
Riot Games executive Johnson shared on Facebook a meme which detailed the criminal record of George Floyd. On the post, he wrote that it was "no reason to condone his killing" but added: "This type of criminal lifestyle never results in good things."
The Facebook post
Johnson shared a meme that has been circulating online. It contains the photo of Floyd with text saying: "The media and the left have made George Floyd into a martyr. But who was he really?"
The image lists several of Floyd's previous convictions and alleges the man of being "high on meth getting ready to drive a car and possibly kill your kid" at the time of his arrest and eventual death at the custody of Minneapolis police.
Johnson captioned the meme by writing: "This is no reason to condone his killing by the officer at all, which still needs to be investigated as a potential crime."
"It is a learning opportunity for people (and your kids) to teach that this type of criminal lifestyle never results in good things happening to you or those around you," Johnson explained.
Riot Games' response
The video game company called the post "abhorrent" and informed its employees that Johnson had exercised "poor judgment".
The Los Angeles-based firm, which produces the popular League Of Legends video game and the newly released shooter Valorant, previously pledged to donate $1 million to "accelerate progress" against racism, amidst Black Lives Matter protests across the US.
Riot Games placed Johnson on leave on Wednesday as it launched an investigation into the incident. The company said the post was "abhorrent, against our values, and directly counter to our belief that addressing systemic racism requires immediate societal change".
The video game publisher confirmed the resignation of Johnson via an internal email.
Riot Games chief executive officer (CEO) Nicolo Laurent wrote: "We must respect that everyone is entitled to their own political views. I believe Ron exercised really poor judgment here."
"It resulted in a post that was harmful to many of us and our broader community. It was insensitive and in this moment, it undermines the commitment we've made to stand against all acts of injustice, racism, prejudice, and hate," Laurent pointed out.
"Ron understands this and recognizes that he will be ineffective as a leader at Riot going forward. As a result, he has resigned, effective today," he added.
Other companies supporting Black Lives Matter movement
Several firms in the US, including Facebook, Twitter, and Nike, have weighed in on the mass protests conducted by groups fighting against racial inequality in the country.
Social media giant Facebook has pledged to donate $10 million to the protest groups. The company’s chief executive officer (CEO) Mark Zuckerberg wrote in a post: “We stand with the black community.”
Twitter has added the “#BlackLivesMatter” slogan to its official bio and enumerated accounts that its users could follow to learn more about “marginalized groups”.
Fitness company Peloton said that it will be donating $500,000 to the legal defense fund of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) as part of an initiative to support black communities.
Meanwhile, Nike released an online video, which reversed its iconic slogan “Just Do It”.
In the video, the firm stated: “For once, Don’t Do It.”
“Don’t pretend there’s not a problem in America. Don’t turn your back on racism. Don’t accept innocent lives being taken from us. Don’t make any more excuses. Don’t think this doesn’t affect you. Don’t sit back and be silent,” Nike said.
