Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Lifestyle
Olivia Petter

Petition launched to ban companies selling T-shirts promoting Down Syndrome hate speech on Amazon

Photograph: Getty Images/iStockphoto

A petition to ban Amazon sellers from selling T-shirts promoting hate speech against people with Down’s syndrome has been signed by more than 5,000 people. 

The Change.org petition is calling on the online retailer to take a stand against such items, which bear phrases such as “let’s make down syndrome extinct”.

"We want to see companies who sell items on Amazon that incite hate speech against any minorities Banned from ever selling on Amazon again," the petition reads.

"Many people from the Down Syndrome Community have contacted Amazon time and time again to remove product inciting Hate speech against people who have Down's syndrome.

"We would like you to find a way to stop these items being listed for sale on Amazon and if Amazon hold such stock to distribute Via Amazon prime, we would like to see said stock destroyed.

"Hate crime is no joke and is on the rise against people with learning disabilities.

“We hope to see Amazon helping the Down's syndrome community fight against hate crime.”

Down’s syndrome is a genetic condition caused by the presence of an extra chromosome in a baby’s cells.

The condition is typically diagnosed at birth and can go on to cause learning disabilities for the child, in addition to certain physical characteristics.

Down's syndrome affects roughly 40,000 people in the UK.

A spokesperson from Amazon told The Independent: “All sellers must follow our selling guidelines and those who do not will be subject to action including potential removal of their account.”

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.