A Vancouver-based social media company, Hootsuite, is gearing up for a significant protest scheduled for Friday afternoon in response to rising public outrage over a contract linked to U.S. immigration enforcement. The demonstration is being organized by Democracy Rising and is set to take place outside Hootsuite’s headquarters, located near 5th Avenue and Quebec Street at 3 p.m.
The protesters are calling for Hootsuite to terminate its contract, signed in 2024, with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to U.S. government procurement records, this controversial deal, routed through a federal contractor, amounts to approximately US$2.8 million. It includes social media management tools and support services intended for use by ICE.
Kalisi Ferretti-Gallon, co-founder of Democracy Rising, expressed to 1130 NewsRadio that the protest aims to highlight the ethical considerations of Canadian companies engaging in business with ICE. Ferretti-Gallon stated, “It’s not about terms of service; it’s about whether continuing to provide services to an agency engaged in widespread civil rights violations is responsible.”
The upcoming protest emerges against a backdrop of increased international criticism directed at ICE, particularly amid ongoing immigration crackdowns in the U.S. Notably, Minnesota has seen a surge of scrutiny following separate federal agent-involved shootings this month that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens.
In response to the backlash, Hootsuite’s CEO, Irina Novoselsky, issued a statement acknowledging the “devastating” actions of ICE. She defended the company’s position by clarifying that the contract does not involve tracking or surveillance of individuals. Nonetheless, Democracy Rising contends that even providing communication tools effectively supports ICE's enforcement operations.
Ferretti-Gallon emphasized that Canadian companies have an obligation to adhere to ethical standards within Canadian society, asserting that businesses cannot merely comply with terms of service while evading their responsibilities. “They don’t get to get away with pretending that compliance is the same thing as responsibility,” she remarked.
The organizers anticipate a turnout between 200 and 500 participants for Friday’s demonstration, which underscores the growing dissent over corporate relationships with ICE. Vancouver police have confirmed they are aware of the planned protest and extra officers will be deployed to maintain order and minimize disruptions in the vicinity.
Additionally, Democracy Rising is planning a solidarity march in downtown Vancouver on Saturday afternoon, aiming to “call for ICE to be held accountable” for the shooting death of Reene Goode, which occurred on January 7.
