Facebook just crossed the line.

Korryn Gaines posted videos of her encounter with police on Facebook. The police asked Facebook to deactivate her account. Facebook complied, then police killed her. Demand Facebook clarify its position in censoring Korryn Gaines’s profile and urge it to stop the dangerous precedent of censoring users at the request of the police. [SumOfUs] {NAME}, Facebook just set a dangerous precedent. Facebook, at the request of police, deactivated the social media accounts of Korryn Gaines, a 23-year old black woman shot to death by Baltimore County police on Monday. She was broadcasting the standoff that led to the injury of her 5 year-old son and her death. In recent years, social media and shareable video have been instrumental in helping build awareness about the ongoing epidemic of police violence against people of color in the United States. But if Facebook censors this critical tool at the behest of the police, that could all change. That’s why we need Facebook to explain its actions and stop this unacceptable practice immediately. [Demand Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg clarify his company’s position in deactivating accounts and video at the request of the police, and commit to do more to protect people like Korryn Gaines and her son.] With the introduction of Facebook live video last April, the social media giant will increasingly be put in the position of controlling one of the most powerful tools used to make police misconduct visible. Just last month, the Facebook livestream of Philando Castile’s death at the hands of police sparked nationwide protests. That’s why Facebook’s decision to censor Korryn Gaines’ social media accounts at the request of the police is so concerning. If Facebook simply complies with police requests to suspend broadcasts and accounts, it will be shielding police misbehavior from the public -- not to mention cutting people off from crucial support networks in the midst of police encounters. Luckily, we have a plan to change this. Mark Zuckerberg has gone to great lengths to declare his and his company's support for the Movement for Black Lives. He’s made public statements about the need to address systemic racism in the US and last month, he even hung a massive sign of support outside Facebook headquarters. If we pile on the pressure while this issue is making front page news, we could force Mark Zuckerberg go beyond words to action -- and make Facebook change its policy. [Tell Facebook to explain its actions and stop this precedent of censoring user accounts at the request of the police.] SumOfUs has been fighting for free speech and freedom of information as long as we have been fighting corporate power. Our work for Net Neutrality has kept the internet open and accessible to dissenting voices and helped preserve the free exchange of information and ideas that make our democracy strong. If Mark Zuckerberg really cares about racial justice, he’ll take action and stop Facebook’s censorship of crucial video and broadcasting now. Thanks for all that you do, Nicole, Emma, Liz, Angus, Toni, Reem and the team at SumOfUs ********** More information: [Facebook deactivated Korryn Gaines' account during standoff, police say], The Guardian, 03 August 2016. [Instagram Posts May Have Escalated Fatal Standoff], Police Say, The New York Times, 03 August 2016 [Facebook Needs a Public Editor], Motherboard, 04 August 2016 SumOfUs is a worldwide movement of people like you, working together to hold corporations accountable for their actions and forge a new, sustainable path for our global economy. Please help keep SumOfUs strong by chipping in [$3] or become a SumOfUs core member with a [regular monthly donation]. [Like us on Facebook] or [Follow us on Twitter] This email was sent to {EMAIL}. | [Unsubscribe]