A social media company in Vancouver is bracing for a significant demonstration outside its headquarters this Friday afternoon, amidst mounting criticism over a contract linked to U.S. immigration enforcement.
Democracy Rising, a grassroots organization, is mobilizing protestors to gather outside the offices of Hootsuite located near 5th Avenue and Quebec Street at 3 p.m.
The protest aims to pressure Hootsuite to terminate a contract inked in 2024 with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Federal procurement documents reveal that the contract, valued at up to US$2.8 million and facilitated through a federal contractor, encompasses social media management tools and support services.
Co-founder of Democracy Rising, Kalisi Ferretti-Gallon, expressed that the protest seeks to highlight the moral implications of Canadian companies conducting business with ICE.
“It’s not just about following terms of service,” Ferretti-Gallon stressed. “It’s about the ethical responsibility of serving an agency involved in widespread civil rights violations.”
This demonstration is unfolding against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny on ICE following immigration crackdowns in the U.S., notably in Minnesota where recent incidents involving federal agents resulted in the deaths of two American citizens.
In response to the outcry, Hootsuite CEO Irina Novoselsky acknowledged the distressing actions of ICE but maintained that the company’s contract does not entail tracking or surveillance of individuals.
Democracy Rising contends that the explanation provided by Hootsuite falls short, arguing that providing communication tools still indirectly supports enforcement activities.
Organizers anticipate an attendance of 200 to 500 individuals at the protest on Friday, with Vancouver police prepared to oversee the event and ensure public safety.
Additionally, Democracy Rising is coordinating a solidarity march in downtown Vancouver on Saturday afternoon demanding accountability for the shooting death of Reene Goode on January 7.