Organizers scheduled two protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Vancouver on Friday, but one evolved into a celebratory gathering. The demonstrations targeted two British Columbia-based companies linked to U.S. immigration authorities.
Canceled Deal Sparks Joy at First Site
Protesters initially focused on Jim Pattison Developments over its planned sale of a warehouse in Ashland, Virginia, to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. However, the company announced Friday morning that it would abandon the transaction, leading to the cancellation of that protest and turning the event into a moment of triumph for activists.
“In moments like these, it shines a bright light on corporate ties between Canada and the Trump administration,” stated Emily Lowen, leader of the BC Green Party. “And I think there is a collective sense that the actions we’re seeing now are morally reprehensible.”
Ongoing Protest at Tech Firm Headquarters
The second demonstration proceeded outside Hootsuite’s Vancouver headquarters. The social media management company holds a contract with the Department of Homeland Security to deliver social media services.
Democracy Rising, the group behind the action, called on Hootsuite to immediately terminate all contracts with ICE, pledge against future involvement in detention, deportation, or family separations, and publicly reveal its partnerships with government and law enforcement entities.
“The road to fascism is paved with business as usual,” said Kalifi Ferretti-Gallon of Democracy Rising. “We can’t expect to function in a good society without members of that society, including companies, making decisions based on a moral and ethical line, not simply the bottom line.”
Hootsuite’s Response to Concerns
Hootsuite CEO Irina Novoselsky addressed the backlash in a statement, noting the personal and professional impact of the controversy. “Beyond how painful it has been to process the current situation on a personal level, we have also felt the concern expressed about Hootsuite’s work with ICE’s public affairs office,” she said.
Novoselsky emphasized the company’s long-standing collaborations with governments worldwide, spanning more than 15 years, including various U.S. administrations. She clarified that Hootsuite’s tools with ICE do not support individual tracking or surveillance, and any such use violates their terms of service, which the company enforces rigorously.
The CEO highlighted how their technology amplifies public discourse by analyzing unbiased social data, helping organizations gauge public sentiment and build trust. “Our responsibility is to ensure those voices remain visible,” Novoselsky added. “We work with a wide range of organizations because listening to real conversations leads to insights that drive better decisions and accountability, without endorsing specific actions or policies.”
She acknowledged the sensitivity of the topic and varying opinions, reaffirming Hootsuite’s commitment to customers, ethical technology use, and responsible scaling of public conversations.
