WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Twitter announced a change in their verified user policy and pulled the verified status of a number of notorious white supremacists, such as Richard Spencer and Jason Kessler.
“White supremacists and other hate groups have turned to online platforms such as Twitter to incite violence and promote hateful and unlawful treatment of minority communities,” said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “We are pleased to see that Twitter has taken preliminary action against verified users such as Richard Spencer who have abused the platform to promote their dangerous and violent hate agenda. Verified users’ compliance with Twitter’s code of conduct should be strictly enforced. Nonetheless, today’s action is just one small step forward as we must ameliorate the damage that has already been done and ensure that there is zero tolerance for any conduct that incites violence, threats, intimidation, and malicious doxxing on Twitter. We hope that Twitter continues to reflect on its role and reform its architecture to not only reduce unlawful harassment and intimidation but also to break users out of their information bubbles and foster more constructive conversations.”
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law’s Stop Hate Project works to strengthen the capacity of community leaders, local government, law enforcement, and organizations around the country to combat hate. The Project’s reporting hotline, 1-844-9-NO-HATE (1-844-966-4283), and the companion website www.8449nohate.org, connects people and organizations combating hate with the resources and support they need.
About the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law:
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. Now in its 54th year, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is continuing its quest “Move America Toward Justice.” The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice for all, particularly in the areas of criminal justice, fair housing and community development, economic justice, educational opportunities, and voting rights.
