S.F.’s new Caren Act makes false, racially charged complaints illegal

'Karen' (Nicole Anderson) says she initiated the idea to cover up the BLM banner in front of Martinez County Courthouse.

By Trisha Thadani | 20 October 2020

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE — The San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously passed the Caren Act Tuesday — a new law that makes it illegal for someone to call 911 with a false, racially charged complaint.

The name of the law — Caution Against Racially and Exploitative Non-Emergencies — is a play on the internet meme of “Karens,” which represent entitled white women complaining about people of color. The law, which must pass a second vote next week, would allow people to sue the 911 caller in civil court if they felt harassed or discriminated against by the action.

The legislation comes amid a national reckoning on race, and in a country still reeling from the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd. It also comes as cities — such as San Francisco — re-examine how their police departments interact with people of color, and how such communities are disproportionately targeted by law enforcement.[…]

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