Boycott Craigslist -Demand Closure of Erotic Services

Hello CL boycott supporters,

I just wanted to give you an update on what’s new with the news around Craigslist, this boycott, what it all means, and what you can do.

First, if you’ve been following the news, Illinois is trying to bring a lawsuit against Craigslist for facilitating and aiding prostitution on their site. Craigslist and their lawyers are holding firm, and are convinced that the current laws will protect them. This is probably true, and in many ways good news. The truth is, we don’t want to leave our freedom of speech up to laws. That’s the beauty of boycotting! As a body of people we can demand change that doesn’t require laws being remade that we will only regret later. In fact, this recent news is all the more reason to boycott Craigslist until they decide that the community is demanding this change. So remember to keep the boycott alive by using your social networks to get the word out.

Also, someone at Predictify.com has posted the question, “How Many People Pledge to Boycott Craigslist on ThePoint.com”. If you have a minute, you can make your prediction at http://www.predictify.com/q/how-many-people-pledge-to-boycott-craigslist-on-2

Just as a side note, I have been very ill over the last few weeks so I can really use your help to get the word out, and if you hear of any interesting news about the boycott or the state of Craigslist, you can email me here. Or heck, post it as an announcement!

Be well,
Jennifer

http://flagcraigslist.webs.com/

Here is one alternative to Craigslist we can support!

http://crimene.ws/2009/04/20/geebocom-ceo-issues-statement-about-the-recent-state-of-craigslist/

“The Pitch” is word limited, but I want to share the more expanded version of the mission and reasons behind this campaign.

Mission: To strongly encourage Craigslist to close down sections of their site that are known to frequently feature ads for illegal activities, particularly the Erotic Services section, through the non-violent mechanism of boycotting.

Background: Craigslist is one of the most visited and used sites in the U.S., and most of that use is free, and in the spirit of community. The site offers a well-known platform for users to trade goods and services. Unfortunately, at least one section of the site has become a stomping ground for illegal activity. While Craigslist has maintained a policy of user oversight and moderation by their flagging system, they have also denied that they even have a section that is “sex related” yet a quick search reveals a truth that is undeniable. Both the Erotic Services and Casual Encounters sections are unquestionably “sex related”. However, the issue at hand isn’t about sex, or the morality of what people are doing in their free time as consenting adults. Nor is it about the legality of prostitution. Nor is it about holding Craigslist responsible for crimes that were committed through the use of their site.

The issue is about taking responsibility for the community one creates and the tone that is set. It is also about honesty, integrity, and responsibility. When most people are well aware that prostitution can be found on Craigslist, that means the principles of the company must also be aware.

We, as a collective voice and through the use of our “dollar-vote” are choosing to support other similar communities who take more effort to foster an environment where crime is discouraged, rather than condoned through feigned ignorance and turning a blind eye.

When a city or town allows the decay of certain sections, crime rises both out of need but also out of opportunity. Crime thrives in the dark where there is little oversight. When a city or town begins to clean up and bring light and upliftedness to abandoned lots, buildings, parks, etc, crime decreases. So it is with the internet.

The issue is also about freedom. Yes, freedom of speech, and net neutrality. This boycott campaign is not about changing laws or taking away freedom. By standing together and using our dollar-vote to encourage change, we exhibit the very best of our rights to freedom of speech by taking responsibility as citizens to enhance safety for all.

Boycotting in a non-violent dollar-vote on issues ranging from human rights to political issues. To understand the history, legality and nature of boycotting read the Wikipedia entry.

Thanks for your support of the boycott campaign against Craigslist. The goal is to reach 500,000 people, and that’s a lot! I need your help to achieve this goal.

Here’s how you can help:

• Use Twitter to spread the word by tweeting the link to the boycott (from the main page of the boycott).
• Post the button on your website or blog and let your readers know why you support the boycott campaign. Be sure to instruct them that they have to click through and actually join.
• Email the link to the campaign to every one you know that might want to support it.
• Use Social Bookmarking services such as Digg and StumbleUpon to spread the word. StumbleUpon can garner huge hits of traffic. Remember to always use the main link: http://www.thepoint.com/campaigns/boycott-craigslist-demand-closure-of-erotic-services
• Share on your Facebook page and again make sure you include instructions to click through. I’ve found that people just make a comment not realizing they have to actually click-through.
• Email me any sites, articles or videos, or post them here yourself to share with others.
• If you read a blog post or news article, use the comment section to share the boycott.
• Email me with suggestions!

Given Craigslist’s most recent response on Nightline, it is clear that they still don’t see how providing a section where illegal activity goes undisturbed is a perfect breeding ground for ever-increasing criminal activity.

Thanks for your help!

Watch Craig Newmark and Jim Buckmaster on Nightline

Martin Bashir of Nightline poses some very careful questions to the founder and CEO of Craigslist. Their response is to generally avoid the direct question and keep to the partyline that they don’t condone illegal activity on their site.

The real truth is, they had to have known about the high level of thinly veiled (and in many cases not veiled at all) ads being posted in the erotic services section.

While it is true that crime will always happen, and the most recent two murders associated with Craigslist could have happened using some other avenue, it is ALSO true that crime thrives in the dark where there is little regulation. Just as when a city knowingly allows sections to decay where crime can thrive, Craigslist had to know that the Erotic Services, Casual Encounters, and other sections were a breeding ground for crime. Their denials are sad.