This spring, Airline Ambassadors provided a letter of support of to To Representative Ann Wagner, to hold the Internet liable for selling children – etc: and recently lent our voice to the internet video in support of this important legislation:  Here is a link to a new PSA encouraging Congressional action to amend Section 230. https://vimeo.com/236160293  and below our original letter of support from AAI for Ann Wagner’s bill.

To whom it may concern:

Airline Ambassadors International (AAI) applauds the effort of Congresswoman Ann Wagner in strengthening Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, empowering state law enforcement agencies to stop websites and social media sites (like Backpage) from advertising and selling young victims. The proposed language would allow victims to exercise their private right of action against the websites that knowingly advertise them.

As a leading advocate for awareness in the airline industry, we at AAI know that traffickers often use the speed and convenience or commercial air travel to move their victims from state to state. Law enforcement agencies must cooperate and states must be able to enforce sex trafficking laws. Courts have interpreted section 230 to circumvent that right and give immunity to online criminal enterprises.   This is an issue linked to drugs, arms and terrorism and the internet is the newest battleground.

Internet service providers like Backpage.com have greatly profited from “adult services” sections that are used to solicit sex trafficking. Unfortunately, these exploitative marketplaces have been allowed to flourish with impunity. This is because—despite the fact that the U.S. criminal system gives states authority to prosecute crimes within their bounds— but courts have interpreted section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA) to prevent enforcement of criminal and civil law.

Representative Wagner’s new bill, the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act, will clarify that online marketplaces that advertise victims of trafficking are not immune from criminal and civil liability. Each state has a responsibility to protect children within its borders. Internet service providers who are running online marketplaces should comply with state tax laws and with state criminal laws relating to sex trafficking and child sex exploitation.

In Ann’s words : “ Advertising sex trafficking victims is not a civil right.” And we proudly add our support to her important efforts.

Very Sincerely,

Nancy Rivard

President

Here is a link to watch the briefing: https://www.facebook.com/centeronexploitation/.

BREAKING NEWS:  Erik Bauer, Mike Pfau and the Seattle legal team for JS just this morning announced a ground-breaking settlement with Backpage, bringing the 7-year old case to a close. https://pcva.law/pcva_news/backpage-lawsuit-and-settlement/

• Call your Senator/Representative to amend #CDA230 #IamJaneDoe WATCH: http://bit.ly/2xeak0Y @cindymccain @repannwagner @repmaloney @repbeatty @missingkids
• Congress must pass #SESTA to amend #CDA230. WATCH: http://bit.ly/2xeak0Y @CATWIntl @rights4girls @ecpatusa @ECPAT
• Amend #CDA230 WATCH: http://bit.ly/2xeak0Y #IamJaneDoe @McCainInstitute @ECPAT @LearyOnLaw
• Thank you @IBMpolicy for speaking out in support of #SESTA and amending #CDA230. Tweet link: http://bit.ly/2xeGNnT #IAmJaneDoe
• Tech companies must be held #accountable for their #role in #enabling #sex #trafficking. #AmendCDA230 WATCH: http://bit.ly/2xeak0Y

IBM:  IBM is the newest company to publicly support SESTA. (See tweet above).

JUDICIARY COMMITTEE:  Today there was a Judiciary Committee Hearing on the House bill: https://judiciary.house.gov/hearing/online-sex-trafficking-communications-decency-act/

Thank you all for your work on behalf of sex trafficking survivors and for your continued support of this project.