SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Demonstrators rallied in San Francisco on Friday as a part of a nationwide week of motion in opposition to automated license plate readers, calling for cities to cancel contracts with Flock Security and take away surveillance cameras.
Members of the Dawn Motion, a youth local weather group, gathered outside the home of cryptocurrency billionaire Chris Larsen, criticizing his assist for surveillance expertise and arguing that public security assets ought to be directed elsewhere.
Protesters distributed brightly coloured flyers pointing to Flock Security cameras and encouraging residents to take motion.
“There’s not a lot proof that flock cameras considerably influence crime charges,” stated Luc Bouchard, an organizer with Dawn Motion Bay Space.
The group additionally displayed a mock surveillance digicam bearing the message, “Does this make you’re feeling safer, Chris?”
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Based on Bouchard, the protest was directed at Larsen, CEO of Ripple, due to his monetary assist for surveillance initiatives in San Francisco.
“Chris Larsen is a cryptocurrency billionaire who has invested greater than any tech billionaire in the tech surveillance system in San Francisco,” Bouchard stated.
“He gave a $9.4 million philanthropic grant to town so they might procure further surveillance expertise,” he added.
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The demonstration passed off outside Larsen’s home.
“He feels that he is entitled to observe us, we got here to his home to observe him,” Bouchard stated.
Whereas organizers stated they assist efforts to enhance public security, they argued that automated license plate readers aren’t the most effective resolution.
“We do know that the simplest strategy to make communities safer is to take a position in reasonably priced housing, into jobs, into social companies,” Bouchard stated. “That is what we’re advocating for versus mass surveillance.”
Legislation enforcement companies have stated Flock cameras assist find stolen automobiles and lacking folks.
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ABC7 Eyewitness Information reported that it reached out to Flock Security for remark. On social media, the corporate has emphasised its dedication to public security and stated it has applied “new steps to strengthen privateness and accountability.”
Opponents of the expertise level to cities which have ended their relationships with the corporate. In El Cerrito, native activists just lately celebrated the elimination of town’s Flock cameras.
“All of the cameras eliminated yesterday (Friday),” stated Brian Fogg of Flock Out El Cerrito.
“Volunteers of our group have checked and been following across the neighborhood,” Fogg stated. “Flock cameras are down in El Cerrito. I really feel nice about it. And I really feel prefer it’s an awesome instance for different cities in how they’ll arrange.”
Organizers stated the demonstrations are a part of a broader nationwide marketing campaign in opposition to automated license plate reader methods. Bouchard stated his group deliberate to hitch one other protest Sunday at Fruitvale BART Station in Oakland as advocates proceed pushing cities to rethink using Flock cameras.
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