Tell state lawmakers: support remote access and regulate face surveillance

Act Now

With the beginning of a new legislative session and a brand-new governor, we have a tremendous opportunity to advance civil rights and civil liberties in Massachusetts.

To kick off our legislative agenda, we’re urging lawmakers to bring two major bills from last session across the finish line: Remote access for public meetings, and face surveillance regulations. Technology should be used to advance liberty and democracy, not curtail it with pervasive surveillance.

Urge your state lawmakers to support remote access and pass face surveillance regulations!

Please take a moment to personalize the message. Your voice and your reasons for supporting civil liberties matter!

Message recipients:
Your State Representative
Your State Senator

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Subject

Thank you for representing me on Beacon Hill! As your constituent, I want to ask for your support and co-sponsorship at the start of the session on two bills that are important to me. I'm a firm believer that technology can be used to strengthen our democracy, and it should not expand dragnet surveillance.

Message Body

Both bills made major progress last session. I hope you will support them and help them get across the finish line.
 
1) “An Act to Modernize Participation in Public Meetings” filed by Rep. Garlick & Sen. Lewis (H.340 | S.2024).

This bill would improve equitable access to open meetings by allowing members of the public to participate in person or remotely and establish a trust fund to help municipalities finance this goal. Over the course of the pandemic, many people were able to participate in their local democratic institutions for the first time, thanks to software like Zoom. People with disabilities, people with limited transportation, and people with family caregiving responsibilities depend on remote and hybrid access. We can’t shut the door on them and turn our backs on equity.
 
2) “An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Special Commission on Facial Recognition Technology” filed by Reps. Orlando Ramos and Dave Rogers & Sen. Creem (H.1728 | S.927). 
As technology advances, it’s important to ensure that the law keeps pace, informed by expert analysis and careful consideration. Last year, a bipartisan commission issued balanced recommendations — endorsed by the Attorney General’s Office, MA State Police, NAACP and others — to enable police to use facial recognition technology to investigate serious crimes, while establishing safeguards to guarantee civil rights and due process. The House passed implementing legislation overwhelmingly and the Senate gave the bill initial approval, but it didn’t make it all the way to the governor’s desk, so it’s time to finish the job. Across the country, several Black men have been wrongly arrested because of flawed facial recognition (another one just in January) and I don’t want to see a similar story here in Massachusetts.

Thank you for the critical work you are doing at the beginning of this historic session. I hope you will co-sponsor these bills and urge your colleagues to pass this important legislation without delay.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]

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Tell state lawmakers: support remote access and regulate face surveillance

Act Now

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