Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association joins campaign to ban Amazon traders selling T-shirts promoting Down syndrome hate speech

A CHARITY is calling on Amazon to ban people selling T-shirts promoting Down syndrome hate speech.
Max Ross, a young ambassador for the Portsmouth Down Syndrome AssociationMax Ross, a young ambassador for the Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association
Max Ross, a young ambassador for the Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association

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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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.’

Read More
Effort launched by former staff and volunteers to save Breast Cancer Haven Wesse...

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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues.

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news and information online.

Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.