• Coronavirus Response

Twitter Clamps Down on Theory that “Black People Can’t Get COVID-19”

Color of Change persuaded leaders at Twitter to adopt new policies to ensure the accuracy of COVID-19 information on the site after Blue-check users were posting dangerous (and scientifically debunked rumors) that Black people were immune to the virus or would recover quickly if they caught it. This misinformation was getting thousands of retweets. COC Campaign Director Brandi Collins-Dexter explains, ”tech companies must assume responsibility for the content on their platforms. Not only does our democracy depend on it, but now our safety does too.” After we called them out, Twitter pulled the tweets and agreed to review the accounts of those spreading these lies to better protect people of color. 

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  • Coronavirus Response

Preserving Access to Healthy Food for Black in the Pandemic

Black people disproportionately live in “food deserts” where healthy produce and meat are hard to come by. And during the pandemic, getting access to safe high-quality food is even harder though it’s one of the best ways to stay healthy. After a Color Of Change member in Los Angeles launched a campaign on OrganizeFor, Capri Retail Services agreed to reopen its Crenshaw Farmers Market, serving a Black neighborhood without many other good options.

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  • Coronavirus Response

Amazon and Barnes and Noble to Vet COVID-19 Info

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more important than ever that tech companies and content producers hold themselves to high standards around the accuracy of the information they’re spreading. Companies initially let rumors proliferate about the virus, from the idea that Black people can’t catch COVID-19 to the lie that drinking bleach will cure you. These were endangering Black people’s lives, so Color Of Change members took a stand and successfully pressed booksellers Amazon and Barnes and Noble to take down misleading materials from their sites and vet all COVID-19 information going forward.

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