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Dear D.C. Councilmembers:

The undersigned civil rights and civil liberties organizations, grassroots advocacy groups, and other local stakeholders write in support of the that would prohibit D.C. law enforcement’s use of two dangerous surveillance technologies: and (also commonly known as cell site simulators or Stingrays).

In the hands of law enforcement, these technologies pose a significant threat to the civil rights and civil liberties of all District residents. Reports demonstrate that , police have who have taken to the streets to exercise their First Amendment right to demand accountability and justice for systemic racism and police brutality.

These technologies are also often used to subject over-policed Black and Brown communities to invasive, and even in schools, contributing to . In regard to facial recognition technology, three major companies (Microsoft, Amazon, IBM) that develop and sell the technology have recently announced that they would halt sales to law enforcement, .

We urge you to do as other major jurisdictions across the United States—including and —have done, and protect your residents from unchecked and unwarranted government surveillance by supporting these amendments.

Sincerely,

ACLU of the District of Columbia
Center for Democracy & Technology
Jews United for Justice
Justice For Muslims Collective
Kandoo
Law 4 Black Lives DC
Lucy Parsons Labs
¹ú²úÊÓƵ’s Open Technology Institute
Stop Police Terror Project DC
SURJ-DC
Upturn
Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs