Amazon Denies Same-Day Deliveries to Black D.C. Neighborhoods, Attorney General Alleges

A new lawsuit filed against Amazon accuses the company of intentionally slowing down Prime deliveries to predominantly Black neighborhoods in Washington D.C. The lawsuit, submitted by D.C. attorney general Brian Schwalb, claims that Amazon imposed a secret “delivery exclusion” to specific zip codes in southeast and northeast D.C. in 2022. This alleged policy, which removed Amazon vehicles from delivery routes in the region, deprived Prime-subscribed residents in those areas of the advertised one-day, two-day, or same-day shipment options, violating consumer protection laws.

Historically underserved areas in Ward 7 and Ward 8, specifically zip codes 20019 and 20020, were affected by this discriminatory practice. The attorney general emphasized that while Amazon has the right to make operational changes, it cannot covertly decide that a dollar in one zip code is worth less than a dollar in another. This is not the first time Amazon has faced accusations of discriminatory delivery practices, as a 2016 investigation revealed disparities in service for predominantly Black ZIP codes.

Amazon denied the claims of discriminatory or deceptive practices, stating that the policy adjustment was made to protect its employees from targeted acts of violence in the affected zip codes. Despite Amazon’s response, the lawsuit highlights concerns about racial justice and social good in the company’s delivery practices.

Topics: Amazon, Social Good, Racial Justice