Popular video game streamer Nickmercs (real name Nicholas Kolcheff) faced intense criticism by gaming giant Activision following comments he made about an anti-Pride Month protest at a Glendale school board meeting, which devolved into violence as Antifa members and others pushing the LGBT agenda clashed with parents angry about what they see as the grooming of their children in public school. Nickmercs’ message, which does not strike most people as controversial, was that “They should leave little children alone. That’s the real issue.”

Activision responded by removing the streamer’s in-game bundle from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (MW2) and Warzone 2. The bundle allowed gamers to play as a digital avatar of Nickmercs within the game.

In response to Activision’s move, a variety of prominent of Call of Duty players have uninstalled the game in a show of solidarity with Nickmercs. The hashtag #IStandWithNICKMERCS began trending on Twitter, with players and fellow streamers alike voicing their support for NICKMERCS and their disapproval of Activision’s decision.

[Easy enough for me! I didn’t drink Bud Light and I don’t play Activision games. This does have shades of Gamergate, though, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this erupts into a larger fight. — Ed]