George Floyd Toys
Submission 39,470
Part of a series on Death of George Floyd. [View Related Entries]
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About
George Floyd Toys refer to a variety of products based on the likeness of George Floyd sold by an Instagram and TikTok account georgefloydtoys. The screenshots of the account and the promo images of an anti-stress toy based on the likeness of Floyd received viral spread online, spawning both negative reactions and memes.
History
On May 25th, 2020, the death of George Floyd occurred as a result of a police officer pinning him to the ground with his knee. The death resulted in a massive outrage, ultimately spawning the 2020 George Floyd protests and riots in the United States.
Prior to June 20th, 2020,[1] Instagram and TikTok accounts georgefloydtoys were created[2] by an unknown user, posting promotional photographs and videos of merchandise based on the likeness of George Floyd, most notably an anti-stress plush toy and pillows showing an artistic representation of Floyd (Instagram account screenshot and images shown below). Both accounts offered the products for purchase.
While the accounts were taken down by Instagram and TikTok before the end of June 2020, the user proceeded to create multiple alternative Instagram[3][4] and TikTok[5] accounts and a website[6] in the following days.
Reception
Starting on June 20th, 2020, a screenshot of a post made by the account has been used in Political Compass memes, with the users placing the account into the libertarian quadrant. On June 20th, Redditor[7] Spreehox posted the earliest known such meme, gaining over 200 upvotes in /r/PoliticalCompassMemes in three weeks (shown below, left). On June 21st, Redditor[8] ngl_porn_account posted another Political Compass meme that received over 590 upvotes in the same period (shown below, right).
On June 28th, 2020, Twitter[9] user and Redditor[10] helpmetonyr posted a Don't Turn Me Into Marketable Plushies meme about the plush toy (shown below). On June 29th, Instagram[11] user liltripie and iFunny[12] user Blank333 reposted the meme, gaining over 3,300 likes and 3,700 smiles in ten days, respectively.
On July 6th, Medium[13] user Boers posted a news story about the toys.
Search Interest
External References
[1] Reddit – How does everyone respond to George Floyd's death?
[2] Medium – Someone is Actually Trying to Sell George Floyd Plush Toys.
[3] Instagram – georgefloydtoysofficial1
[4] Instagram – georgefloydtoysofficial5
[5] TikTok – @georgefloydtoys0
[6] GeorgeFloydToysOfficial – Main Page
[7] Reddit – How does everyone respond to George Floyd's death?
[8] Reddit – George Floyd toys? Really?
[9] Twitter – @helpmetonyr
[10] Reddit – I’m going to post this here because people some snowflake shit
[13] Medium – Someone is Actually Trying to Sell George Floyd Plush Toys.
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