People are boycotting Lush after the UK CEO gifted police care packages

People are wanting to boycott Lush over actions made by its U.K. CEO Mark Constantine. Constantine recently took to social media to showcase that he was giving presents to police. This move has drawn a ton of criticism due to its insensitive nature regarding ongoing, worldwide protests for Black Lives Matter and against police brutality. 

A number of people, including those working for Lush, are demanding that Lush step up and address the issues regarding race and the police. Lush is also accused of being performative and not actively contributing anything to BLM. 

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This recent controversy regarding Lush U.K. seems to be a far cry from the U.S. arm’s prior stance. In 2018, the cosmetics brand partnered with Police Spies Out of Lives for their “Spy Cops” campaign. Its purpose was to raise awareness of an ongoing undercover-policing scandal. Lush drew some ire from that campaign as some accused them of being anti-cop. 

Black Lives Matter protests were sparked by the killing of George Floyd on May 25 by Minnesota police. These protests have taken the world by storm with police being criticized for their historical brutality and excessive use of force, particularly against BIPOC. With the current protests, police are firing nonlethal rounds and tear-gassing innocent and peaceful bystanders.

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Constantine’s actions, which were posted May 26 and 27, have provoked quite a response. 

This was a lush campaign in 2018. A very different stance to what was posted last week.
Here are black owned brand alternatives to shop from! https://t.co/bUDQ7mw6hL pic.twitter.com/8pDQKKcqfW

— keevs ? (@GhostlySpells) June 5, 2020

The tweet gained a lot of traction. Employees from Lush have since created a template that they are encouraging others to email to Lush HQ.

Hi there I really appreciate you calling lush out. could you pls email this out & share with your followers. Myself & coworkers work for lush & have made a template to email to head office as we are unhappy with Lush’s lack of empathy & action for the Black Lives Matter movement https://t.co/suVBOhY0y3

— Jennifer Juniper (@JustJennnnnni) June 5, 2020

Lush took a week to make a statement and even then it was a half arsed response. We are asking for them to do better. For the ceo who is worth billions to reach into his own pocket and donate money. Please consider sending the email and retweeting to spread the word.

— Jennifer Juniper (@JustJennnnnni) June 3, 2020

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“You have stated in a recent Instagram post that ‘Black Lives Matter’,” the template reads. “As an [employee/customer] I feel that this is an empty performative statement unless you commit to distributing your enormous wealth to supporting the Black Lives Matter campaign, and other Black-led organisations and funds.”

It continues, “Lush CEO Mark Constantine has been posting on his Facebook about making lush donations to the police whilst we are witnessing extreme police brutality against Black people. He posted in support of the police one day after George Floyd was brutally murdered by police.”

The full template can be viewed and emailed here.

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As expected, this news has caused a number of people to denounce Lush entirely regardless of the U.S. branch being separate from the U.K.’s.

https://twitter.com/gregmania/status/1269048980622761984

It’s about damn time we cancel Lush. Buy black plant based body productszsssssss https://t.co/0mLJ0KlmIn

— anxiety art mom (@ericaporque) June 5, 2020

I mean Lush already sucked because of how they treat their employees but now they suck even more. https://t.co/3YGQ92HAxp

— The Unburnt ?? (@daiyahimecos) June 5, 2020

Instead of shopping at Lush, whose owner was giving care packages to cops, here’s a bunch of Black owned skincare businesses you can support going forward! https://t.co/YvjxOhOgOc

— Amanda Smith (@AmandaRTubbs) June 5, 2020

Read More: Vans gives $200K to civil rights funds in solidarity with Black Lives Matter

https://twitter.com/lauragother/status/1269022031321890816

To show support through donations, connect with grassroots campaigns and obtain resources for allies, please refer to the links below.

Help the family of George Floyd here.
Fight for Breonna Taylor here.
Help the family of Ahmaud Arbery here.
To sign petitions for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and more, click here.
Donate to one or more community bail funds for protesters here.
Click here for more resources for protestors, including pro-bono lawyers.
Visit Movement For Black Lives for additional ways you can help the cause.
Click here to connect with leaders building grassroots campaigns.
Here are some anti-racism resources for allies who want to learn more.For other ways to donate, please head here.