02/03/2021
In response to news that Jeff Bezos would step down from his role as Amazon’s Chief Executive Officer and be replaced by Andy Jassy, the head of Amazon Web Services, the Athena coalition released the following statement from Maurice BP-Weeks, an Athena leader and the Co-Executive Director of member group the Action Center on Race and the Economy:
“The company Jeff Bezos started nearly three decades ago is under a cloud of scrutiny, with regulators from both sides of the aisle firing arrows from Washington, D.C. and lawmakers asking hard questions in states across the country. Workers are speaking up, walking out, and organizing against miserable working conditions, undaunted by Amazon’s attempts to silence them. Communities living in the shadow of Amazon’s warehouses are demanding Amazon address and drastically curb its toxic emissions. Small businesses are banding together to challenge Amazon’s anti-competitive practices like never before.
After a year that finally forced Amazon to own up to the destruction it inflicts on communities, workers, businesses, the climate, and our democracy itself, Jeff Bezos has decided to head for the exits rather than face the music. His departure is an acknowledgement that the Amazon fantasy has crumbled - and the reality of Amazon has set in.
Bezos’ departure won't meaningfully change Amazon’s course, especially since Bezos will still be the Executive Chair of the Amazon board. Meanwhile, Andy Jassy’s tenure leading Amazon Web Services through the years when Amazon acquired Ring, built contracts with almost 2,000 police departments, secured surveillance contracts that powered ICE and DHS, developed Rekognition, and agreed to host Parler should be deeply disturbing to anyone who cares about privacy and racial justice. Jassy’s appointment is telling, considering how many Black and brown activists have pointed out the racism of Amazon’s operations and business model.
If there is any reason why Bezos is leaving, though, it’s the bravery of workers, businesses, neighbors, and advocates in challenging the cheery picture that Amazon likes to put forward. They have shown that Amazon is both a symbol and driver of the worst excesses of racial capitalism that are eroding both our economy and our democracy. It’s critical that public officials respond to their work and break up and regulate Amazon and corporations like them. Meanwhile, the work to end Amazon’s dangerous hold on our economy will continue - no matter who serves as Amazon’s public face.”
