Cutting off white supremacists: Apple Pay, Cloudflare and PayPal join the trend

[workinclasszero]

Cutting off white supremacists: Apple Pay, Cloudflare and PayPal join the trend
By Tracey Lien 8-17-17

Apple, Cloudflare and PayPal have joined the parade of companies cutting off services to white nationalists after an anti-racist counter-protester was killed and others were injured in Charlottesville, Va., last weekend.

In statements circulated among employees and published online, the companies condemned hate groups and distanced themselves from President Trump’s assertions that some “very fine people” were among the torch-carrying white supremacists in Charlottesville and that “both sides” were to blame for the violence.

The moves come as corporations scramble to erase any perception that they condone white supremacists, at least partly motivated by fear of tarnishing their brands.

“It’s getting harder and harder to convince people that those who support [Trump] don’t also support the bigotry, racism and violence,” said Marlene Towns, a professor at Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business. “It’s unforgivable for a brand to still be aligned with any person that is aligned with these groups and their actions.”

http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-apple-cloudflare-nazis-20170817-story.html

[malaise]

1. Why did it take so long?

That's my question

[pangaia]

2. It's the old "you go first" syndrome. If it works, I'm in.

[workinclasszero]

4. I agree

These companies helped the alt-right gain power enough to terrorize a town and kill an innocent woman.

I suppose their only defense would be they didn't know the true extent of the alt-rights nazi and KKK roots.

Even some right wing elements are trying to distance themselves from the alt-right now after the terror attack, calling themselves the "New Right".

[Hoyt]

3. Although it took too long, it is nice to see this and corporate leaders telling Trump to stuff it.

Hope it lasts.

[shenmue]

5. Yes

[haveahart]

6. I can't believe that I am pulling for corporate America to bring down Trump.

They should use everything in their arsenal. We can stand the pain a little while. When Trump is out they can make up for all the hurt by raising pay and actually bringing back jobs to America and not the promise of bringing them back.

[Lotusflower70]

7. The power of the consumer

When we collectively use our voices, this can happen.

[workinclasszero]

8. The "invisible hand of the free market" I believe right wing republicans call it