Amazon removed Black Lives Matter from its charity platform AmazonSmile Tuesday amidst growing scrutiny over the organization’s financial endeavors.
Following the withdrawal, an Amazon spokesperson told Washington Examiner that “organizations are required to be in good standing in their state of incorporation and in the states and territories where they are authorized to do business. Organizations that don’t meet the requirements listed in the agreement may have their eligibility suspended or revoked.”
Amazon’s decision to ax BLM from their program comes after its leaders failed to report how they used the $60 million it received in 2020.
Earlier this month, California’s Department of Justice promised to hold the organization accountable and claimed it was in “delinquent standing” for its refusal to release the information.
“An organization that is delinquent, suspended or revoked is not in good standing and is prohibited from engaging in conduct for which registration is required, including soliciting or disbursing charitable funds,” the DOJ said in a letter to BLM.
Likewise, the state of Washington demanded the organization to “immediately cease” fundraising in the state over lack of financial transparency in January.
The legal threats prompted the organization to shut down all online fundraising platforms on Feb. 2.
BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors received scrutiny during her departure from the organization last year after it was revealed she purchased a luxurious million-dollar property, Washington Examiner reported. She resigned in May 2021.
