For Immediate Release: May 17, 2022
Media Contact: media@colorofchange.org
Color Of Change Joins National Coalition to Demand Change at Facebook and #MakeMarkListen
NATIONWIDE — Following the launch of #MakeMarkListen and increased demands for accountability from Facebook executives and decision makers, Color Of Change President Rashad Robinson has issued the following statement:
“Under the leadership of Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook has created a cycle of civil rights infringements and a lack of accountability that has impacted millions of users. Facebook’s offenses have led to the erosion of democracy around the world, jeopardized the safety of Black communities, and allowed hate speech to ferment exponentially on digital platforms. As the urgency for necessary protections against online white supremacist radicalization grows by the day, there has never been a more appropriate time to recognize the damages of Mark Zuckerberg’s leadership and the ongoing detriment of unchecked corporate power from social media companies that profit from lies, hate, and disinformation.
Facebook’s governance structure is a threat to the civil rights of its Black users and to the financial interests of its shareholders — a self-regulated company is an unregulated company. It shouldn’t take years of mass organizing from racial justice organizations for tech companies to recognize the bias and racism ingrained into their algorithms, products, and business practices. Systemic problems impact nearly every corner of Facebook’s institutions — an in-depth, independent overhaul of Facebook leadership and business practices are the only way to guarantee tangible change. The Annual General Meeting is an opportunity to put an end to the cycle of irresponsibility and focus on how to rebuild our digital spaces around equity and justice.”
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About Color Of Change:
Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by over 7 million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America. Visit www.colorofchange.org.