A social media company based in Vancouver is gearing up for a major protest outside its headquarters this Friday in response to backlash surrounding a contract linked to U.S. immigration enforcement.
Scheduled by Democracy Rising, demonstrators are set to assemble outside Hootsuite’s offices close to 5th Avenue and Quebec Street at 3 p.m.
The protest is urging Hootsuite to terminate a contract inked in 2024 with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Records from U.S. government procurement indicate that the agreement, facilitated through a federal contractor, could amount to up to US$2.8 million, encompassing social media management tools and support services.
Co-founder of Democracy Rising, Kalisi Ferretti-Gallon, expressed to 1130 NewsRadio that the protest aims to spotlight the moral dilemmas associated with Canadian companies engaging with ICE.
“It’s not just about abiding by terms of service,” Ferretti-Gallon emphasized. “It’s about the responsibility of providing services to an agency involved in widespread civil rights violations.”
The protest is timed amidst global criticism faced by ICE due to ongoing immigration crackdowns across the U.S., notably in Minnesota, where two U.S. citizens lost their lives in separate incidents involving federal agents this month.
In a recent statement, Hootsuite CEO Irina Novoselsky acknowledged the “devastating” actions of ICE but defended the company’s stance, clarifying that the contract does not entail tracking or surveillance of individuals.
Despite this explanation, Democracy Rising contends that offering communication tools still aids enforcement operations.
“Canadian companies have an obligation as members of Canadian society; they cannot simply hide behind terms of services compliance,” Ferretti-Gallon asserted.
Organizers anticipate a turnout of 200 to 500 individuals at Friday’s demonstration.
Vancouver police have acknowledged the planned protest, confirming the deployment of additional officers to ensure order and minimize disruptions in the vicinity.
In addition to the Friday protest, Democracy Rising is arranging a solidarity march in downtown Vancouver on Saturday afternoon, demanding accountability from ICE in the wake of the shooting death of Reene Goode on Jan 7.