Quote: (09-08-2016 11:14 AM)VincentVinturi Wrote:
Dear Airbnb community,
...Discrimination is the opposite of belonging, and its existence on our platform jeopardizes this core mission....
...In June, we asked Laura Murphy, the former head of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Washington D.C. Legislative Office (The ACLU are the ones who reversed the original order suspending the Charlottesville demonstration, remember), to review every aspect of the Airbnb platform, and to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to fight bias and discrimination...
...We’re asking everyone to agree to something we’re calling the Airbnb Community Commitment, which says:
We believe that no matter who you are, where you are from, or where you travel, you should be able to belong in the Airbnb community. By joining this community, you commit to treat all fellow members of this community, regardless of race, religion, national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or age, with respect, and without judgment or bias....
Open Doors
We’ll be implementing a new policy called Open Doors. Starting October 1st, if a Guest anywhere in the world feels like they have been discriminated against in violation of our policy – in trying to book a listing, having a booking canceled, or in any other interaction with a host – we will find that Guest a similar place to stay if one is available on Airbnb, or if not, we will find them an alternative accommodation elsewhere. This program will also apply retroactively to any Guest who reported discrimination prior to today. All of these Guests will be offered booking assistance for their next trip....
Anti-bias training
We are working with experts on bias, including Dr. Robert Livingston of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and Dr. Peter Glick of Lawrence University, to make anti-bias training available to our community, and will be publicly acknowledging those who complete it.
Sounds like they may have violated their own terms of service by flat out cancelling bookings and accounts of people planning to be in the area the day of the protest, all based on membership in a Facebook group about the event.
Not sure what remedy anyone affected can expect, but I'd be talking to a knowledgeable attorney, and perhaps even to the ACLU given their involvement in reversing the order to kill the event.