William T. Riker in Star Trek Picard
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Star Trek Used “Picard Day” to Raise Money for Black Lives Matter and the NAACP Because That’s the Trek Way

And they did it using the pizza-loving stylings of William T. Riker. I have to love it.
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Rachel Leishman
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Published: Jun 19, 2020 04:17 pm

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Star Trek did what Trek always does and used its platform to help bring us one step closer to that society Gene Roddenberry had hope for—one without racism or sexism, one where we could learn to exist as one. To help the Black Lives Matter movement, CBS All Access used “Picard Day” to raise money for BLM, give back to local establishments, and help in whatever way they could. (Yes, I’m crying.)

In doing so, they used a fun marketing strategy: Riker and pizza! I have learned in my 28 years that William T. Riker being my favorite Star Trek character seems to be very fitting? Whatever, Riker rules, but in learning that fact, I have now become aware that I like to yell about the latest development in the life of Riker at any given moment. When Star Trek: Picard brought Jonathan Frakes back into my life, they gave him a nice cabin in the woods and a lovely little family. What can I say? I love a good dad.

That being said, Star Trek helped give back by celebrating Picard Day with pizza from Riker himself, and me? I did not get any!!!!! (I want some fun pizza from Riker!!!) Picard Day has been a time-honored tradition since 2007, when fans realized that Stardate 47457.1 is, roughly, June 16th. (Even though Picard’s birthday is July 13th. Happy birthday, mom and Harrison Ford!)

This Picard Day was used to help benefit the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the Black Lives Matter movement in the best possible way. Reaching out to local pizza places through DoorDash, CBS All Access focused their energy on helping local businesses and had the pizza give fans that wonderful Trek flare that we know and love.

This is, honestly, a great way for a company to support the BLM movement, as well as honoring Gene Roddenberry in the process. Right now, so many companies are making blanket statements or just donating to one organization (which is better than nothing), but supporting local businesses in the process of also donating in the name of Star Trek is a reminder of the beauty that Trek always has been.

And if you get to share Riker just loving his pizza oven, what a fun way to celebrate Picard, Star Trek, and help one another in the way that Trek and Roddenberry taught us.

The following day, in the name of Star Trek, every tweet that featured #StarTrekUnited earned a dollar on behalf of the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

There were also some fun tweets just honoring Jean-Luc Picard and his brilliance on #PicardDay.

So happy belated Picard Day to all. I love you, Jean-Luc, but I am very upset that I did not receive William T. Riker pizza, as someone who will gladly yell about cabin dad Riker for the rest of my days. And good on Star Trek for continuing to honor the legacy of the show and Gene Roddenberry. There’s a reason Trek has continued to be a beacon of hope for fans across the world, and using its name and platform to help the Black Lives Matter movement makes me proud to be a Trekkie.

(image: CBS)

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Image of Rachel Leishman
Rachel Leishman
Assistant Editor
Rachel Leishman (She/Her) is an Assistant Editor at the Mary Sue. She's been a writer professionally since 2016 but was always obsessed with movies and television and writing about them growing up. A lover of Spider-Man and Wanda Maximoff's biggest defender, she has interests in all things nerdy and a cat named Benjamin Wyatt the cat. If you want to talk classic rock music or all things Harrison Ford, she's your girl but her interests span far and wide. Yes, she knows she looks like Florence Pugh. She has multiple podcasts, normally has opinions on any bit of pop culture, and can tell you can actors entire filmography off the top of her head. Her current obsession is Glen Powell's dog, Brisket. Her work at the Mary Sue often includes Star Wars, Marvel, DC, movie reviews, and interviews.
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