A social media company in Vancouver is bracing for a major protest outside its headquarters this Friday afternoon, as criticism mounts over a contract linked to U.S. immigration enforcement.
Organized by Democracy Rising, protestors are set to assemble outside Hootsuite’s offices near 5th Avenue and Quebec Street at 3 p.m.
The group 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 reveal that the agreement, facilitated through a federal contractor, is valued at up to US$2.8 million, encompassing social media management tools and support services.
Kalisi Ferretti-Gallon, co-founder of Democracy Rising, stated to 1130 NewsRadio that the protest aims to highlight the moral dilemmas associated with Canadian firms engaging with ICE.
“It’s more than just following terms of service,” Ferretti-Gallon explained. “It’s about the accountability of providing services to an agency involved in widespread civil rights violations.”
The impending protest coincides with global scrutiny faced by ICE due to ongoing immigration crackdowns in the U.S., notably in Minnesota where two U.S. citizens recently lost their lives in separate incidents involving federal agents.
In a recent announcement, Hootsuite CEO Irina Novoselsky acknowledged the “devastating” actions of ICE but maintained that the company’s contract does not entail tracking or surveillance of individuals.
However, Democracy Rising argues that by offering communication tools, Hootsuite is indirectly aiding enforcement operations.
“We believe that Canadian companies have an obligation within our society. Merely complying with terms of service is insufficient. Compliance should not be equated with responsibility,” Ferretti-Gallon emphasized.
Organizers anticipate an attendance ranging from 200 to 500 individuals at the protest on Friday.
Vancouver police have been informed about the scheduled demonstration and will deploy additional officers to ensure order is maintained and disruptions are minimized in the vicinity.
Democracy Rising is also coordinating a solidarity march in downtown Vancouver on Saturday afternoon, demanding accountability from ICE regarding the tragic death of Reene Goode on January 7.
