Labor&Immigration
Activision Blizzard Faces EEOC Complaint by America First Legal
Stephen Miller’s Conservative Group Challenges Activision Blizzard’s Hiring Practices
The Cease-and-Desist Directive
America First Legal (AFL), a conservative watchdog organization founded by ex-Trump senior advisor Stephen Miller, has lodged a civil rights complaint against gaming giant Activision Blizzard with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The group has also issued a cease-and-desist letter to the publisher of popular games like Call of Duty and Overwatch 2. The letter urges the company to halt its “gender and racial preferences in hiring and internship programs” and to prioritize “shareholder value” over “fringe political ideology.”
Previous AFL Endeavors
AFL’s mission is to counteract what it perceives as the “radical left’s” agenda, as outlined in its mission statement. The organization has previously filed similar lawsuits against major U.S. corporations, including Target and Kellogg’s, and has been involved in various investigations and legal actions on contentious American political subjects.
The “Woke” Controversy
The group’s recent statement alleges that Activision Blizzard’s commitment to “woke DEI principles” has negatively impacted its reputation. This includes the company’s decision to remove content related to Nick “NICKMERCS” Kolcheff, a content creator who made controversial comments on LGBTIQA+ education for children.
DEI Hiring Practices in Question
AFL’s main contention with Activision Blizzard revolves around its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring practices. The group claims these policies are discriminatory, particularly against “white, Asian, and Jewish males.”
The Bigger Picture
This legal challenge comes amidst Microsoft’s high-profile bid to acquire Activision Blizzard for USD 69 bln. As the U.S. gears up for an election year, various partisan entities are leveraging current debates on DEI and LGBTIQA+ topics, potentially as a strategy to gain attention and funding.
Esports Legal News reached out to America First Legal for comment.
You can read the cease-and-desist letter to Activision here, and its formal complaint with the EEOC here.
Via: The Esports Advocate
