To the CEO, Daniel Agostinelli and the CFO, Matthew Durbin of Accent Group;

Head of Hype DC, Platypus, Subtype, Vans, Dr. Martens, Timberland, Skechers, Merrell, CAT, Trybe, Athlete’s Foot, Pivot, Saucony, Sperry, Stance, Palladium, Sneaker Lab and Supra. 

Accent Group profits off of black culture. Many of your brands rely on streetwear culture to further your company - a culture originating and built by black people. In addition to this, you play black music (hip-hop, RnB) in your stores and have black models in your ad campaigns.

The ongoing disproportionate murder, injustices and mistreatment of countless black people in the US, particularly at the hands of police brutality (George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade), has brought your lack of action to our attention, with the unjust treatment of Blak Indigenous peoples in Australia being no different.

Posting a black square on social media is not enough. It is performative activism that does not create real change for the black community.

It is your duty, as a company with immense influence in Australia, to take tangible action to fight for the livelihoods of Bla(c)k people in Australia, New Zealand and beyond.

The urgent action we are expecting from you includes posting resources & information (see links below) to educate your audience whilst amplifying the voices of BIPOC, alongside making a donation to black organisations.

The threats that black people face will not be solved soon, so we also implore you to look within the company to create long-lasting change that will benefit the cause for the entirety of the company’s existence. This includes hiring more PoC and more of those within the LGBTQI+ community, including diversity training during hiring rounds and being transparent with the role that black culture plays in your company. 

Black people disproportionately suffer from police brutality, institutionalised racism and systemic oppression every day of their lives - your action is imperative to ensuring this does not continue. 

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” - Desmond Tutu

   -    From your valued employees and customers, in solidarity with Bla(c)k peoples.

(We acknowledge that Vans, Dr. Martens & Stance (Aus) have already made efforts/donations, however we are imploring Accent Group to do the same through its other brands such as Hype DC, Platypus, Subtype, etc.)

RESOURCES FOR ALL

WHERE TO SIGN
- Master List of Petitions (Black Lives Matter US)
- Thread of US petitions yet to reach their goal
- Prevent deaths in custody (Aus)
- Change the licensing agreement around the Aboriginal Flag #PrideNotProfit
- Protect sacred Djab Wurrung birthing trees
- Keep grog out of our communities
NB: not a definitive list - see more under educational resources below

WHERE TO DONATE
- Pay the Rent
- Grandmothers Against Removals
- COVID-19 Victorian First Nations Mutual Aid Fund
- Bail Funds by US State
Deaths in custody of First Nations peoples:
- Justice for David Dungay
- Justice for Yuendumu
- Justice for Tanya Day
(No police officer in Australia has ever been held criminally responsible for an Aboriginal death in custody)
NB: not a definitive list - see more under educational resources below

ATTEND PROTESTS!
MELB      SYD      BRIS      ADE       PER      CANB        DAR      NEWCASTLE      BYRON     ALICE SPRINGS      CAIRNS      TOWNSVILLE       WAGGA WAGGA

WHERE TO EDUCATE YOURSELF
- First Nations Allyship Resources
- Support Blak Australians
- Anti-Racism Resources from Australia & beyond
- Master List of Resources on How to Dismantle Systematic Racism
- Showing Solidarity Whilst Disabled

MASTER RESOURCE LIST (US)
Black Lives Matter Carrd