A Vancouver-based social media company, Hootsuite, is facing a significant protest planned for Friday afternoon, organized by the activist group Democracy Rising. The demonstration is set to take place outside Hootsuite's headquarters located near 5th Avenue and Quebec Street at 3 p.m. The protest is a response to mounting criticism regarding a contract that Hootsuite signed in 2024 with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which manages Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The contract, as disclosed in U.S. government procurement records, is valued at up to US$2.8 million and includes social media management tools and support services. Kalisi Ferretti-Gallon, co-founder of Democracy Rising, stated in an interview with 1130 NewsRadio that the protest aims to highlight the ethical concerns associated with Canadian companies engaging in business with ICE.
Ferretti-Gallon emphasized, “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.” This statement reflects the group's stance that Hootsuite's involvement contributes to the ethical issues surrounding immigration enforcement and civil rights abuses.
The protest comes at a time when ICE is under international scrutiny, particularly following recent immigration crackdowns in the U.S. Notably, in Minnesota, two U.S. citizens were killed in separate incidents involving federal agents earlier this month, eliciting further outrage against the agency.
Hootsuite's CEO, Irina Novoselsky, acknowledged the "devastating" implications of ICE’s actions but defended the company’s position regarding the contract, clarifying that it does not involve tracking or surveillance of individuals. Despite this explanation, Democracy Rising argues that Hootsuite's provision of communication tools still materially aids in enforcement operations conducted by ICE.
Ferretti-Gallon further contended, “Canadian companies have a duty as part of Canadian society; they do not get to hide behind just complying with terms of service. And they don’t get to get away with pretending that compliance is the same thing as responsibility.” This statement underlines the group's call for greater accountability among businesses that engage with agencies like ICE.
The organizers of the protest anticipate a turnout of between 200 and 500 attendees. In anticipation of the event, the Vancouver police have confirmed their awareness of the situation and have planned to deploy additional officers to ensure order and minimize disruptions in the area.
In addition to the Friday protest, Democracy Rising is organizing a solidarity march scheduled for Saturday afternoon in downtown Vancouver. This march is aimed at holding ICE accountable for the shooting death of Reene Goode on January 7, further amplifying the group’s ongoing demands for justice and responsibility in immigration enforcement practices.
