‘Hate-speech T-shirts are so upsetting’
Down Syndrome charity calls on Amazon to ban ‘offensive’ slogans
A CHARITY is calling on Amazon to ban people selling T-shirts promoting Down syndrome hate speech.
Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association has joined the #NoPlaceForHate campaign which is urging Amazon to do more to prevent T-shirts promoting hate speech towards people with Down syndrome being sold on its website.
Down syndrome is a genetic condition caused by an extra chromosome and can cause learning difficulties.
PDSA chair Rachael Ross, whose son Max, 17, has Down syndrome, said: ‘The T-shirts are extremely offensive and say things like “let’s make Down syndrome extinct”.
‘The slogans are damaging and offensive to families and people with Down syndrome because that would mean they aren’t here which is a very upsetting thing to say and have on a T-shirt.’
An online petition has garnered more than 60,000 signatures calling on Amazon to put an end to the items being listed once and for all.
There was backlash in March this year against the company when two mums found the offensive T-shirts being sold on the website.
Charity trustee and development officer Ken Ross said: ‘Amazon has been failing to deal with this issue in the way that they should.
‘If it was T-shirts inciting hate speech on gender or ethnicity then that wouldn’t be acceptable and it would be stamped out but Amazon seem not to care about people with Down syndrome. It should all be taken seriously.
‘They apologise and take down whatever seller is doing it but only when it is reported and then another pops up selling the same thing the next day. Their apologies mean nothing when it keeps happening again and again.’
Actor Sally Phillips, whose son Oliver, 16, has Down syndrome, has also backed the campaign.
She tweeted: ‘Dear @ Amazon we are asking you to #HearOurVoice & #RaiseYourStandards because hate wear belongs in the bin. There is #NoPlaceForHate Let’s ALL stand up for one another.’ Rachael added: ‘It’s been a very positive campaign so far, and we’ve had lots of support from the community.’
An Amazon spokesman said: ‘All sellers must follow our selling guidelines and those who do not will be subject to action including potential removal of their account.’
To sign the petition visit https://www.change.org/p/ amazon-ban-amazon-sellersinciting-down-syndromehate-speech
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