Growing opposition to tech companies perceived as supporting President Donald Trump’s administration led to a protest outside Amazon’s headquarters in Seattle on Friday. Between 200 and 250 people gathered in the rain to demand Amazon end its support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), demonstrating by dumping ice onto the grass.
Growing Techlash
The protest followed an announcement by Amazon-owned Ring that it would end its partnership with Flock Safety, a law-enforcement technology company. This decision came after public criticism of a Ring Super Bowl ad that showcased a “Search Party” feature utilizing artificial intelligence and a network of Ring cameras. Organizer Emily Johnston stated that ending the partnership with Flock had been one of the protesters’ initial demands.
Johnston also noted that protests against Target’s dealings with ICE and an open letter from Google employees calling for disclosure and divestment from ICE and CBP demonstrated a growing momentum. She stated, “No one wants surveillance and state violence except those who are profiting from it — and Amazon’s thriving depends on both its workers and customers.”
Protesters called on Amazon to cease hosting ICE and CBP on Amazon Web Services and to end its partnership with Palantir, which they say facilitates deportations and surveillance. Guadalupe, of the group La Resistencia, stated that corporations have “been complicit, but active beneficiaries of the tax money needlessly spent to tear apart immigrant families and communities.”
Eliza Pan, co-founder of Amazon Employees for Climate Justice (AECJ), said Ring’s decision to end its partnership with Flock was “a substantial victory.” She added that Amazon was aware of the rally and that further protests would occur if the company did not end other partnerships.
The Ring Super Bowl ad, which featured the “Search Party” feature for finding lost dogs, drew criticism for its potential for invasive uses of technology. Beryl Lipton of the Electronic Frontier Foundation stated the ad represented “a scary overreach of the surveillance state designed to catch us all in its net.”
Protest organizer Evan Sutton told Common Dreams that the goal is for Amazon to recognize its partnerships with Palantir and its hosting of ICE and CBP as mistakes.
The protest was organized by a coalition of groups including AECJ, No Tech for Apartheid, Defend Immigrants Alliance, La Resistencia, and others. Protesters listened to six speakers, including Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck, and distributed flyers with a QR code linking to AECJ.
Sutton stated that the demonstration reflected a growing frustration with the “Trump-Tech alliance,” and pointed out that Amazon CEO Andy Jassy attended a private White House premiere for the Melenia movie the same day a CBP agent murdered Alex Pretti.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the protest at Amazon headquarters?
The protest was prompted by growing backlash against Big Tech’s perceived complicity with President Donald Trump’s administration, specifically Amazon’s support for ICE and CBP.
What did protesters demand of Amazon?
Protesters demanded that Amazon end its support for ICE and CBP, stop hosting them on Amazon Web Services, and end its partnership with Palantir.
What was Ring’s response to public criticism?
Ring announced it would cut ties with law-enforcement tech company Flock Safety following public backlash over a Super Bowl ad showcasing its “Search Party” feature.
As tech companies navigate increasing scrutiny over their partnerships and practices, what role will public pressure play in shaping their decisions?
