On October 21st, 2024, Twitch unjustly banned four beloved streamers—Denims, CapriSunnPapi, Frogan, and Vio—after they hosted a Twitch-approved event at TwitchCon. The event, which took place on September 25th, 2024, included a light-hearted segment where the streamers, humorously ranked their fellow streamers based on how "Arab-coded" they appeared. The chart ranged from “Arab” at the top to “Loves Sabra Hummus” at the bottom. This segment was met with laughter and applause from many in the Twitch community.

It is believed that Frogan's ban was also linked to comments about U.S. troops, a topic that has long been debated on Twitch’s platform and in broader society. However, a small group of individuals took offense to the reference to "Sabra Hummus" (an American-produced brand) and claimed it was antisemitic, conflating a brand with Jewish identity. This accusation is absurd—criticizing a hummus brand does not equate to hatred towards Jews.

In a surprising and disappointing move, Twitch capitulated to the demands of this small group and banned the four streamers. Twitch’s actions raise serious concerns about its commitment to free expression and its handling of critical voices. As Amnesty International has pointed out, "How organizations tolerate unfavorable views or critical voices is often a good indication of how they treat human rights generally."

So, we ask Twitch: Do you wish to suppress critical voices and silence those who express opinions you may disagree with? What will your children think of your decisions 10 years from now, knowing you banned people of color from your platform for expressing their views? Will they be proud? The answer is likely no.

We call on Twitch to reverse these unjust bans and reinstate these four streamers who have brought joy, entertainment, and community to so many. Additionally, Twitch must fairly compensate them for the income lost during this unjust ban.

We, the undersigned, demand justice for Denims, CapriSunnPapi, Frogan, and Vio. Unban them now.