There is a growing list of companies who have decided to end their respective partnerships with the National Rifle Association following the tragic shooting death of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. As of this writing Amazon, Apple, Google, and Roku are not among the companies listed, but if an increasingly vocal number of anti-NRA and pro-gun control voices get their way, that might change. That’s because all four companies carry the organization’s streaming media arm, NRAtv, and opponents are calling for them to stop.
Variety first reported the matter on Thursday when the #StopNRAmazon hashtag began trending on social media. A day later the #StopNRApple hashtag began trending as well, and while its corporate focus was entirely different than its predecessor, both carried the weight of the same argument — stop streaming NRAtv or else. When reached for comment, representatives from Amazon, Apple, and Google did not respond to Variety. A Roku spokesperson, however, told the outlet they were “an open platform for streaming and allow publishers to reach a TV audience,” and that they will continue to carry NRAtv for the moment.
Needless to say, the general silence from these companies didn’t sit well with those who first raised the issue on Twitter. So as USA Today reports, a petition specifically targeting Amazon Prime’s carrying of NRAtv was launched. “We must remember to respect the First Amendment above all else,” read the petition, which currently boasts over 22,500 signatures. “If NRA members want to watch NRA TV, they can find it without Amazon’s promotion. There is no place in your home for brands that earn money through the NRA.”
Unsurprisingly, the positive response to the various hashtags and the subsequent petition demanding NRAtv be removed from Amazon Prime and other streaming platforms continues to grow.
Today is the day we are asking @Amazon, @Amazonhelp, and @JeffBezos to stop streaming the violent rhetoric of NRAtv. #StopNRAmazon #NoRA pic.twitter.com/ds5DAN7evx
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) February 22, 2018
Let’s put some pressure on #amazon and @JeffBezos to stop streaming the filth that @NRATV puts out. #StopNRAmazon
— (((Jew))) (@JoshMalina) February 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/amyschumer/status/967181060646809600
Lawyers from @Apple @amazon @Google and @RokuPlayer should watch these disturbing videos and remove this channel. They incite violence and could make anyone streaming them liable. https://t.co/sSDmwPKBIo
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) February 24, 2018
Delta and United severed ties to the @NRA: Now it's your turn @AppleTV, @Google, @Amazon, and @RokuPlayer. It's time to dump @NRATV! #DumpNRATV https://t.co/29PYuKBpfN
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) February 24, 2018
I shop on @Amazon? Do you?
Do you stream from @Amazon?I’m asking @Amazon, @Amazonhelp, and @JeffBezos to 🚫 streaming the violent rhetoric of NRAtv.
#StopNRAmazon
Will you join me? RT!— Piper Perabo (@PiperPerabo) February 22, 2018
Of course, the @NRA are terrified of media coverage of mass shootings.
It’s bad for business.#StopNRAmazon https://t.co/Xw3WnLXQP0
— Jon Cryer (@MrJonCryer) February 22, 2018
Do you shop on @Amazon? Do you stream from @Amazon? Today is the day we are asking @Amazon, @Amazonhelp, and @JeffBezos to stop streaming the violent rhetoric of NRAtv. #StopNRAmazon
— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) February 22, 2018
Hey @Apple @amazon @RokuPlayer Do you stand with the @NRA & @NRATV or with sanity and humanity? https://t.co/C6GfvzHpkk
— Anthony Atamanuik (@TonyAtamanuik) February 24, 2018
While we’re at it, let’s not forget the NRA’s media arm, NRATV, spouts really crazy dangerous nonsense designed to scare people into buying more guns.
Add your name to tell @AppleTV, @Google, @Amazon, and @RokuPlayer to #BoycottNRA and #DumpNRATV ⬇️ https://t.co/Ny4nJWD8xT
— Andy Richter (@AndyRichter) February 23, 2018
On Saturday Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action and one of the many forces behind the Everytown initiative, claimed she had spoken with an Amazon operator who said “[they] are taking it down” following public pressure. As for when NRAtv will allegedly be removed from Amazon Prime, the unnamed operator “[didn’t] want to speculate.” Of course, whether or not any of this is true remains to be seen.
I just spoke to an @amazon operator about @NRATV and she said: "We are taking it down. I don't want to speculate when it will be coming down." Where's your statement, Amazon? It's long past time to cut ties with gun lobbyists who fear monger and promote hate.#DumpNRATV
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) February 24, 2018