(Seattle, WA, 6/18/2018) — The Council on American Islamic Relations of Washington (CAIR-WA) is joining the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Washington today at 1 p.m., for a press conference outside of The Spheres to urge Amazon to halt its selling of facial recognition software to governments and law enforcement.
Representatives of community-based organizations will also be there to discuss their concerns about the impact the technology would have on their communities. Then they will deliver petitions to Amazon; more than 150,000 people have signed petitions supporting the call for the company to not sell the powerful, invasive mass surveillance system to government.
Last month, the ACLU obtained documents revealing that Amazon has developed powerful facial recognition software, called “Rekognition,” and has been aggressively marketing this technology to governments and law enforcement agencies.
What : Press conference where leaders from community-based organizations will highlight the potential impact of widespread government use of facial recognition on their communities; leaders will deliver a coalition letter and petition signatures to Amazon directly.
When : 1 p.m. TODAY, June 18
Where : Outside of The Speheres , Near Amazon Spheres building, on 6th Avenue side between Lenora and Blanchard Streets. Note that although the official address of the 2101 7th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121, our press conference will be on the opposite side of the building, in the sidewalk area along 6th Avenue.
Who : ACLU of Washington, CAIR-WA, MAPS-AMEN, CASA Latina, OneAmerica, LELO, Faith Action Network, Seattle JACL, Demand Progress.
In a statement about Amazon’s facial recognition software, CAIR-WA Civil Rights Director and Interim Executive Director, Jasmin Samy, said:
“Whether it’s the Muslim Ban, racial and religious profiling by the TSA or FBI agents who disproportionately harass and investigate our community, American Muslims are too often unfairly targets of suspicion and law enforcement activities—a trend has only accelerated under the current federal administration. Muslim communities in the Pacific Northwest have real reason to be concerned that Rekognition technology would be leveled against them in dangerous, invasive and unequal ways.”
On May 22 nd , CAIR-WA joined 40 other civil rights organizations in signing a letter from the ACLU of Washington to Jeff Bezos asking Amazon to stop selling facial-recognition tools to governments: https://www.seattletimes.com/business/amazon/aclu-asks-amazon-to-stop-selling-facial-recognition-tools-to-governments/
CAIR-WA Civil Rights Director and Interim Executive Director, Jasmin Samy, will be speaking on behalf of CAIR-WA and about the concerns of the Muslim community.
Media availability:
CAIR-WA Civil Rights Director Jasmin Samy, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Media Contact: Sarah Stuteville, CAIR-WA Communications Director, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 206-403-3931
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutual.